ANCYL members across the country are being mobilised to show support for league president Julius Malema and spokesman Floyd Shivambu, the league said on Sunday.
“The NEC (National Executive Committee) and the PEC (Provincial Executive Committee) has decided to stand by our leadership, and we want to brief our structures about it,” African National Congress Youth League Gauteng provincial secretary Ayanda Kasa said.
She said ANCYL members were being asked to mobilise outside at Luthuli House in Johannesburg, in support of the two.
“We want our members to know that this is a peaceful march and is not against the ANC.
“We think of ourselves as disciplined, and we are appointing marshals to ensure that there are no trouble makers,” Kasa said.
Over 350 representatives from branches around Gauteng gathered at a league meeting in Braamfontein on Sunday to discuss charges being levelled at Malema and Shivambu.
Members danced sung songs in support of the two.
“Julius Malema... Floyd Shivambu... There is no one like you... Juju is coming back,” members sang and stamped their feet in unison.
Similar meetings were being held in different provinces across the country.
Last week the ANC announced action against Malema and Shivambu. They face charges of bringing the ANC into disrepute and sowing division. The charges related to comments on helping to bring about regime change in Botswana.
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 was undermining the “African agenda”.
One of the members said that the charges were a way for the ANC to “get back” at the youth league.
“Botswana isn't the issue. The ANC is not respecting the autonomy of the youth league,” Kabelo Matsepe said.
“This is all about what will happen (at the ANC national conference) in 2012.”
On Friday Malema said he was ready to face his disciplinary hearing.
“Whatever happens to us, we are ready for that... People should know that even if we are fired tomorrow, our blood will remain black, green and gold,” he said.
Malema and Shivambu are due before the ANC disciplinary committee on Tuesday and Wednesday. - Sapa