'Justice has been done' - National Press Club

The National Press Club in Pretoria has welcomed the ruling against ANC Youth League spokesman Floyd Shivambu, who was today ousted from his post.

Shivambu was found guilty of two charges relating to swearing at a journalist and his press statement about regime change in Botswana. The ANC’s national disciplinary committee noted his “arrogance and defiance”.

Shivambu’s ANCYL membership was suspended for three years.  

“This ruling should be an example for other spokespersons,” said chairman Yusuf Abramjee.

“The media has a job to do and we will not sit back and watch our colleagues being abused.”    

The ANC’s national disciplinary committee found Shivambu guilty of misconduct for swearing at a journalist and accusing the ruling party of associating with imperialists.

The committee’s chairman Derek Hanekom noted Shivambu’s “arrogant” behaviour and found that he had breached the ANC’s code of conduct and prejudiced its reputation.

“A spokesperson is the face of an organisation,” Hanekom told reporters at Luthuli House in Johannesburg on Thursday.

Sivambu had put the country at risk and his statement posed a threat to foreign investment, he said.

Abramjee praised the stern action.

“Justice has been done,” he said.