Johannesburg - African National Congress Youth League leader Julius Malema lodged an appeal with the ANC's national disciplinary committee of appeal (NDCA) on Wednesday afternoon, SABC news reported.
The committee would consider argument in the next three days, according to the broadcaster.
Appeals were also lodged by ANCYL spokesperson Floyd Shivambu and secretary general Sindiso Magaqa.
The three had until midnight on Wednesday to lodge their appeals against sanctions meted out against them by the ANC’s national disciplinary committee (NDC) two weeks ago.
Malema was expelled from the ANC for sowing division in the party and for bringing it into disrepute by unfavourably comparing the leadership style of President Jacob Zuma to that of former president Thabo Mbeki, and for remarks on bringing about regime change in Botswana.
He will remain ANCYL president until all options to overturn his expulsion have been exhausted.
Shivambu and Magaqa were also found guilty of sowing division and for bringing the ANC into disrepute.
Shivambu was suspended from the ANC for three years, for swearing at a journalist and for issuing the statement calling for a change of government in Botswana.
Magaqa was suspended three years for making derogatory remarks about Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba. This was suspended for three years on condition that he apologise to Gigaba within 15 days.
Magaqa accused Gigaba of “pleasing imperialists” when he said the nationalisation debate was hurting foreign investment in South Africa.
Magaqa apologised “unreservedly and unconditionally” to Gigaba in a statement sent to the media on Saturday night.
Malema has remained upbeat despite his expulsion, promising his supporters that he will not give up the struggle for his position or abandon the fight “against capitalism”.
Should his appeal fail, he can ask the ANC's national executive committee to review the matter. Should this also fail, he can raise it on the floor of the ANC's elective conference in Mangaung in December. However, this would unprecedented in the party's 100-year history.
Malema was found guilty in November, when he was suspended for five years.
On appeal, one of the charges against him was dismissed. The same charge was also dismissed against three members of his executive. He was also granted leave to present evidence in mitigation.
However, evidence in aggravation was also presented and the sanction against him was increased to one of expulsion.
Malema's argument that the charges against him were “politically motivated” was rejected by both the NDC and the NDCA. - Sapa