Juju support fizzles out

THE support for embattled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema seems to have taken a knock after the ANC issued an instruction to provinces to act against members who march against the mother body.

Despite youth league members sending text messages to supporters, asking them to attend the disciplinary hearing against Malema and his executives at the Kliprivier Recreation Centre in Klipfontein, south of Johannesburg, there was no support at the venue for the young lions.

Instead, there was a heavy police presence, with police constantly threatening journalists who had gone to the precinct.

The hearing was moved from Luthuli House after riots by the youth league supporters in central Johannesburg two weeks ago.

The alleged visits to provinces by agents of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) is also said to have instilled fear in youth league members.

Malema and his top brass, spokesperson Floyd Shivambu, deputy president Ronald Lamola, treasurer Pule Mabe, general secretary Sindiso Magaqa and deputy general secretary Kenetswe Masenogi are facing charges of bringing the party into disrepute.

The disciplinary hearing yesterday started with the cases of Magaqa and Shivambu.

The committee ruled against an application by Malema that the hearing breached the ANC constitution by releasing to the media its finding on the application to quash the charges.

According to a youth league member in Gauteng, the province has decided to withdraw its public support for Malema for fear of being victimised.

"As host province of the disciplinary hearing we were expected to be visible in big numbers, but the situation is such that members fear being victimised by the ANC and a possible visit from the NIA," said a league insider.

Most provinces have had their tails between their legs after the alleged NIA crackdown.

But Limpopo is still resolute in its support for Malema.

"But we have changed our tactic in the light of the attacks from the media and the ANC," said a Limpopo youth league member.

The widely circulated SMS calling on all league members to gather outside the venue of the hearing in Klipfontein failed to mobilise support.

The SMS read in part: "Today the DC continues at Kliprivier Recreation Centre.

"Tomorrow it will be the Gauteng high court judgment on the hate speech. Lets go there in our numbers and the DC for president will then continue on Tuesday. We must all pull all we can go to Kliprivier as early as possible in our numbers."

While the hearing failed to attract support, there was still a heavy police presence throughout the day.

The SA Police Service and Johannesburg Metro police officers were stationed at every entrance to the suburb and at least five police vehicles patrolled the streets throughout the day.

Two armoured police Nyalas with razor wire and a water cannon were kept on standby in case of any violent protests.

Ten mounted policemen patrolled the area.

Several reporters waiting in the area were asked for media credentials and were also asked to leave by an officer.

"You are not supposed to be here. This is a process and you should have gotten permission to be here," he said.

While the hearing proceeded late yesterday, police later threatened to tow away vehicles in the precinct belonging to journalists for parking illegally.