Michelle Pietersen

JULIUS Malema will “remain president” of the ANC Youth League even if the ANC suspends him – and has no plans to vacate his office.

This was decided at the league’s lekgotla at the weekend, where it was argued that as the ANC had not elected Malema to his position, it did not have the power to fire him.

Malema was today due to appear before the ANC’s national disciplinary committee, where his defence team were to argue that he deserves a sentence lighter than the effective five years’ suspension handed down in November.

But the ANC will also be arguing in aggravation of sentence, which means Malema runs the risk of a harsher sentence, or even expulsion.

Despite this defiant stance, the league is still trying to forge a political solution with the ANC.

A letter to the ANC’s leadership, in which league provincial chairpersons and secretaries ask for a meeting, was handed to party secretary-general Gwede Mantashe on Friday. He was given the cold shoulder when he addressed the lekgotla, in contrast to the rapturous welcome for Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.

In his closing remarks, Malema urged delegates to stay focused and continue their programmes of action to defend the league’s autonomy.