Malema ruling soon

THE ANC's appeal committee yesterday concluded ANC Youth League president Julius Malema's disciplinary appeal hearing and he will know his fate soon.

The appeal committee's chairman, Cyril Ramaphosa, issued a short statement yesterday saying the committee had listened to submissions from both the ANC and the ANCYL.

"Having heard both sides, the NDCA will be making its decision in due course," Ramaphosa said.

Malema's deputy Ronald Lamola, treasurer Pule Mabe, secretary general Sindiso Magaqa and his deputy Kenetswe Mosenogi, are appealing the disciplinary committee's suspended sentences after they were found guilty of sowing divisions and bringing the party into disrepute.

Malema and ANCYL spokesman Floyd Shivambu were given sentences of five and three years suspension respectively.

Should Ramaphosa not set these aside, they would be compelled to vacate their positions.

Ramaphosa had issued a stern warning to communication units of the ANC and the ANCYL not to release information to the media until the appeal had been concluded.