S.Africa’s ANC charges its youth leader with sowing divisions

JOHANNESBURG, (Reuters) – South Africa’s ruling  African National Congress today charged controversial youth  leader Julius Malema with “sowing divisions” in its ranks and  bringing the party into disrepute.
Malema, president of the ANC Youth League, has been under  fire over the youth wing’s calls for the overthrow of the  democratically elected government of neighbouring Botswana.
The ANC’s disciplinary committee said Malema has been  charged with violating the principles of the party.
“Comrade Julius Malema has been charged with various  violations of the ANC Constitution, including bringing the ANC  into disrepute through his utterances and statements on Botswana  and sowing divisions in the ranks of the African National  Congress,” the party said in a statement.
Malema’s repeated calls to nationalise mines and seize  white-owned land has unnerved investors but he has become a hero  among poor blacks who make up the majority of the country and  envision him as a future leader of Africa’s most powerful  economy.
He has been under pressure in recent weeks due to a series  of media reports over his finances and the ANC ripping into the  Youth League over its comments on Botswana.
The Youth League apologised to the ANC over Botswana.
Malema, 30, has no direct policy making power in the ANC but  his ability to influence millions of poor puts him in an  influential position, with senior leaders including President  Jacob Zuma seeking his support ahead of an ANC meeting next year  when the party elects its leaders.
Local media also reported today that a top corruption  buster plans a probe into the possible illegal awarding of  government contracts to a firm linked to Malema.
Public Protector Thuli Madonsela will look into whether  On-Point Engineering, the firm linked Malema, was able to win  contracts through political power, local media reported on  Friday.
“(The public protector) will investigate the conduct within  the state entities that led to the awarding of the tenders,”  spokeswoman Kgalelelo Masibi told SAPA news agency.
Masibi and the Youth League were not immediately available  for comment.