Johannesburg - African National Congress Youth League leader Julius Malema would never take the ruling party to court, he told Carte Blanche in an interview broadcast on Sunday.
“I will appeal to the NDC (National Disciplinary Committee)... and if I lose then I will appeal to the ANC NEC (national executive committee)... or if that fails then I will petition the national congress of the ANC,” Malema said in the interview which was recorded before the announcement of his suspension last Thursday
“I have no problem... I have followed all the proper channels... I will never take ANC to court... If the appeal fails then I will accept that it will be the end of my political career.”
Malema was removed as president of the League after he was found guilty of provoking serious divisions within the ANC and bringing the party into disrepute.
“My blood is black, green and gold. Even if I am expelled, I will remain a member and loyal supporter of the ANC. I was born an ANC member,” he told his interviewer.
He said the charges against him were “unjustified” and that he had done all he could to present a good case to the committee.
Also, he said he was not in a contest with President Jacob Zuma - and added that he did not regard himself as a controversial figure.
“I am not in contest with Zuma. I will never be... I don't know what controversy means...”
His comments in recent years about “killing for Zuma” were taken out of context.
“When I said that about President Zuma, it was not about my personal relationship with him... I am not his special friend... I don't even have his cellphone number.”
Malema said he had no intention of becoming president of South Africa.
“That position is very complicated... Even if the movement gives me a mandate to do it... Let me not be disloyal to the movement... I will say this is too big for me.”
He said he always wanted to be in the ANC to help and teach people.
The contentious politician, who was recently named one of the most powerful young people in Africa by Forbes, said he was fighting for mineral resources to be shared in South Africa.
“The real enemy is white monopoly capitalists... white dictatorship is what is happening today... Tell me I am wrong... then I will accept.
“The gap between rich and poor is widening... It is racialised and sexist... It is only white men who are becoming richer, not even white females... That will never be allowed,” he said.
Asked if he hated white people, Malema said: “No, I never did too much (sic)... They have got a special place in our hearts. They have a contribution to make in this country.”
Malema wanted expropriation of land without compensation.
“We want to expropriate from those who own the land to give to the public...The government has got a right to expropriate. We need this land.”
In response to a question, he noted that nationalisation was not an ANC policy.
“Who said it was an ANC policy? If it was an ANC policy we (the ANCYL) would not have proposed it.”
The nationalisation issue would be discussed at the ANC Mangaung conference next year, he said.
On the issue of tenders, Malema said: “I have never manipulated tenders. I am a politician. I know the game.
“The Public Protector has investigated companies linked to me before. I have not done anything wrong. If there is a reported allegation of corruption, let the game be open.” - Sapa