ANCYL refuses to pay R2m 'insurance' for the march

THE ANC Youth League has flatly refused to pay R2-million to Tshwane and Joburg municipalities for being granted permission to march later this week.

Officials of the municipalities, who met to consider the league's application to march from Johannesburg to Pretoria, demanded an upfront R2-million payment.

ANCYL president Julius Malema yesterday said both municipalities were getting nothing and that the march would not be stopped.

"Both Johannesburg and Tshwane municipalities wanted R1-million each, and they are getting nothing.

"We are not going to pay anything. We are going to march without paying this money," Malema said.

"We never knew there was some money to be paid for people to march. I have been marching for a long time since the days when I was still with Cosas, and I have never heard of this," he said.

Sources said the municipalities were put under pressure by the department of community safety to charge the ANCYL for insurance.

A source in the Tshwane metro police said: "This march has no political blessing, and a number of obstacles have been put up to frustrate it, and officials will be used to fight political battles."

Community safety spokes-woman Thapelo Moiloa promised to arrange an interview with MEC Faith Mazibuko, but at the time of going to press she was not available.

"I cannot comment on that matter, only the MEC can."