The ANC Youth League was being traumatised and suppressed under President Jacob Zuma's leadership, suspended league president Julius Malema said on Friday.
“Under President Zuma, we've seen the youth of the ANC being traumatised and expelled from their home,” said a fired-up Malema during a centenary lecture in Johannesburg.
With his voice gradually intensifying in volume, Malema said Zuma's leadership had suppressed the voice of the youth and replaced democracy with dictatorship.
“We've seen intolerance. People are impatient with the youth, people do not appreciate new opinions. They suppress new opinions,” he said to thunderous applause from a packed hall at Wits University.
Malema said opinions by youth league leadership were possibly seen as a threat by the mother body.
“Those are our observations. It cannot be entirely correct. Other people can differ,” he said.
Drawing ANC treasurer Mathews Phosa's attention, Malema said it was nothing personal but that leadership must accept criticism.
“We must be honest and not pretend. We must give a true reflection of what's happening,” he said.
“If you want to be pretenders, then you have chosen the wrong career.”
Malema, who is appealing his expulsion with the ANC's national disciplinary committee of appeals chaired by Cyril Ramaphosa, questioned the logic behind disciplinary procedures instituted against him and other league leaders.
Phosa arrived with Malema an hour late to much excitement at the Wits University in Johannesburg.
He replaced national executive committee member and sports minister Fikile Mbalula who cancelled due to other commitments.
Some students were restricted from entering the Great Hall as it had been filled to capacity, leaving many others on their feet.
The turned away group of students were directed to the foyer where they can watch through monitors mounted to the walls.
Earlier, Youth League supporters sang and danced and sang struggle songs as they waited.
Some songs were in support of Malema, with some mocking Zuma as “troublesome shower man” and ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe as the “troublesome goatee”.
The league has continuously voiced their preference for Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe to replace Zuma and Mbalula to replace Mantashe. - Sapa