Hearing derailed as Malema admitted to hospital

THE ANC disciplinary hearing against Julius Malema, scheduled for today, could be derailed after the youth league leader was admitted to hospital yesterday.

The ANC Youth League firebrand complained of flu during his address to thousands of students during the OR Tambo Memorial Lecture at the University of Limpopo's Turfloop campus on Tuesday night.

Malema was admitted to MediClinic Limpopo, a private hospital in Polokwane.

His lawyer, Dali Mpofu, was yesterday quoted on SABC as saying they would ask for a postponement today.

Spokesperson for the hospital, Istha McMillan, confirmed yesterday that Malema had been admitted to the institution but refused to release further details, referring enquiries to league spokesman Floyd Shivambu.

"It is true that Malema has been admitted at our institution but unfortunately we cannot say anything further since he has instructed us to refer all enquiries to Shivambu," McMillan said.

Malema had admitted prior to his address in a packed Tiro Hall at the university on Tuesday night that he was suffering from flu.

Before addressing the students Malema had promised not to hold a long speech, but the outspoken league boss went overboard and spoke for more than an hour.

Ironically, Malema's admission to the hospital happened only a day before he would have appeared before the ANC disciplinary hearing in Johannesburg today, where he and other league leaders face charges of sowing divisions and bringing the party into disrepute.

The recent developments could disrupt the hearing against Malema, his deputy Ronald Lamola, league general secretary Sindiso Magaqa, deputy secretary Kenetswe Mosenogi, treasurer Pule Mabe and Shivambu.

Shivambu could not be reached for comment yesterday. But he later released a statement confirming that Malema had been admitted to hospital.

"The ANCYL will not take media enquiries concerning Malema's hospitalisation as we strongly believe that his health is a private matter and should be treated as such," read the statement.

It further said that an intrusion into Malema's private life, including his health, was "unethical, immoral and despicable".

Asked whether the hearing would continue in Malema's absence, ANC spokesman Ishmael Mnisi said yesterday that only Derek Hanekom, the DC chairman, could make the decision whether to proceed with the hearing or not.

Mnisi provided Sowetan with Hanekom's alleged contact number but the number was not listed in the network.

The ANC said yesterday that they were not aware that the youth league leader was in hospital.

Spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said, however, that the matter would be handled by the national disciplinary committee of the party when it is presented to them.

"It is the national disciplinary committee that will pronounce on the matter if and when they are told about it. They will give us a way forward and we will inform you," Mthembu said.