Gauteng police were prepared for any eventuality ahead of ANC Youth League president Julius Malema's disciplinary hearing on Tuesday.
“Police and other law enforcement agencies will be taking precautionary measures to make sure that there will be no disruptions in the city centre and surroundings to Luthuli House,” Liutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said in a statement.
“Lawlessness will not be tolerated. Certain streets leading to the city centre and surroundings to the Luthuli House may be affected and members of the Johannesburg metro police will be on the ground to make sure that traffic runs smoothly.”
Dlamini said law enforcement agencies considered the intended gathering of supporters prohibited, because “no application was received in terms of the Gatherings Act”.
Malema told reporters on Monday the league would not be bussing in supporters.
African National Congress Youth League spokeswoman Magdalene Moonsamy said she could not say when and how many supporters were expected.
“It is at the discretion of the membership. If they want to arrive today (Monday), they are at liberty to do so. There are many that will be there during the night for a night vigil. They are showing support for the leadership.”
Streets near Luthuli House have been closedthe Johannesburg Metro Police said on Monday.
"We are expecting people to start gathering at about 5pm this afternoon (Monday) said Chief superintendent Wayne Minnaar.
The roads that will be closed are Sauer, Market, Harrison, Simmonds, President, Pritchard and Diagonal streets.
Minnaar advised motorists travelling south of Johannesburg to use the M1 highway. Those travelling north were advised to use Ntemi Piliso or Rissik streets.
Malema faces charges alongside his spokesman, Floyd Shivambu, league deputy president Ronald Lamola, secretary general Sindiso Magaqa, his deputy Kenetswe Mosenogi and treasurer general Pule Mabe.
The charges include bringing the ANC into disrepute and sowing divisions in ANC ranks. Malema recently said the ANCYL would send a team to Botswana to consolidate local opposition parties and help bring about regime change, as it believed the government there was “in full co-operation with imperialists” and undermining the “African agenda”.
The ANC publicly rebuked the league, which then apologised.
ANCYL national executive committee (NEC) member Lerato Mofokeng however said at the weekend the league still called for a freer and more democratic society in Botswana. She indicated the youth movement's apology in this regard was meant more for the “media”, and that the movement stood by its statement.
Initially only Malema and Shivambu were charged, but the four other leaders' names were added to the charge sheet last week.
The league was reportedly hoping to argue in Malema's defence that he was communicating a resolution of the ANCYL's NEC, and therefore the entire body should be charged, not just the president.
Last year, Malema pleaded guilty in an ANC disciplinary hearing after he publicly criticised President Jacob Zuma. The ANC's disciplinary committee at the time said should Malema be found guilty of provoking serious divisions or a break-down of the organisation's unity within the next two years, his ANC membership would be suspended. -
Sapa