Rebuke of Malema is not enough - South Africans need decisive action

It is a good thing that President Jacob Zuma has at last found his voice and issued a statement calling Julius Malema to order (see here). But it is not good enough for President Zuma to say this is an internal matter which the ANC will deal with as it sees fit.

The fact that Malema defied the ANC is one thing.  This can be dealt with privately through the internal structures of the ANC.  But Julius Malema also defied a court ruling and showed contempt for the constitutional guarantee of freedom of the media.  These are far more serious issues. This is not a private internal ANC matter. 

The public want to hear clearly what action is contemplated to call Julius Malema to order.  President Zuma has stated that the ANC Youth League is not an independent entity.  If Julius Malema is re-elected to lead the ANC Youth League, it will show precisely where they stand and how they regard the Constitution of our country.  This issue still has a way to run before it is satisfactorily resolved.  A private telephone conversation and rebuke of Malema is not sufficient.

Statement issued by Helen Zille, Democratic Alliance leader, April 11 2010

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