ANC moves to discipline youth wing leader over Botswana regime change call

South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) has charged the leader of its youth wing with bringing the party into disrepute and sowing internal divisions. The disciplinary action against Julius Malema follows the ANC Youth League’s threat last month to work for the overthrow of the government of neighbouring Botswana.

AFP

The ANC leadership responded quickly and harshly to Youth League calls for regime change in Botswana which it dismisses as a puppet of the United States.

The league said that it would set up a "Botswana Command Team" to try and unite all the country's opposition parties to "oppose the puppet regime of Botswana".

President Jacob Zuma himself says interfering in the affairs of a neighbouring state is unacceptably reminiscent of the apartheid regime’s behaviur.

The youth wing’s apology came fully a fortnight later - along with a warning that any attempt to carpet Malema would amount to a declaration of war as the party prepares to choose its presidential candidate next year.

Malema was found guilty of similar charges last year, fined 1,000 euros and ordered to take anger management classes.

He had to apologise to Zuma whom he helped install as ANC leader but has now turned against

Further charges of endangering Zuma’s mediation in Zimbabwe, singing a racist song about killing white farmers and abusing a British journalist at a press conference were all withdrawn.

The date for Malema’s latest disciplinary hearing has not been set.

He is entitled to defend himself against the charges.