By Political Bureau
A third senior ANC leader has, in a veiled reference, criticised reckless statements by youth league president Julius Malema, while others in the ruling party view him as a liability.
Senior ANC leaders fear Malema could cost the organisation votes next year.
This comes as the ANC faces disillusionment among some of its supporters and internal battles likely to cause a split.
'Reckless speeches are not likely to assist us in earning respect' ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) member Enoch Godongwana indirectly admitted over the weekend that Malema's utterances would lead to people losing confidence and respect for the ANC.
He criticised Malema, without naming him, at a funeral in Duduza on Saturday.
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"The ANC has values and therefore activists of the ANC are guided by those values.
"As we rise from Polokwane, we said we must earn the respect of our people, and will only earn respect of our people by our conduct, by what we say and what we do.
"And reckless speeches are not likely to assist us in earning respect of our people," Godongwana said in a veiled reference to Malema's utterances.
Godongwana also warned ANC leaders not to undermine the Constitution and its values.
"That constitution is the product of our effort and values which we espouse, and the ANC is the custodian of that Constitution."
Godongwana's rebuke comes after ANC leader and Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya publicly attacked Malema's conduct.
Skweyiya said Malema was an "embarrassment" to the ANC and that he was "disrespectful" towards former president Thabo Mbeki.
President Kgalema Motlanthe has also called Malema reckless after the youth leader said he was prepared to kill and die for ANC President Jacob Zuma.
The Cape Times is reliably told that there is growing concern among ANC leaders who are tired of Malema's violent and inflammatory speeches.
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