MK veterans call for more charges

Supporters of ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema demonstrate outside the party headquarters in central Johannesburg. Photo: Reuters.

Supporters of ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema demonstrate outside the party headquarters in central Johannesburg. Photo: Reuters.

Published Aug 30, 2011

Share

Additional charges should be brought against the ANC Youth League leadership following the violence on Johannesburg streets on Tuesday, the Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans' Association (MKMVA) said.

Spokesman Ike Moroe said more charges should be laid against Julius Malema and his colleagues for bringing the ANC into disrepute.

“What happened in the Johannesburg city centre was done in the youth league's name and they should take responsibility,” he said.

MKMVA chairman Kebby Maphatsoe said ANCYL supporters crossed the line by burning a ruling party flag and a t-shirt bearing the face of President Jacob Zuma.

“We are left with no doubt in our mind that those who are involved in this process and burned the ANC flag are carrying out the orders of their masters, who are bent on creating chaos and mayhem, not only within the ANC, but also in our country,” Maphatsoe said outside ANC headquarters Luthuli House, in Johannesburg.

“Their actions are clearly meant to divide our community and ultimately the South African society. Their deliberate actions are clearly meant to plant the seeds of a civil war in our country.”

The association was gravely concerned and believed the ANCYL leadership was to blame.

Maphatsoe said the processes in the ANC were fair and did not favour anyone.

“The (party's) constitution is made for all its members and no one member or a cohort of membership enjoys exclusion from its rules and regulations... we shall never allow the ANC to be intimidated.”

It called on members of the ANC and its alliance partners to rally in defence of the party and its leaders.

“We believe that these public displays of anarchy, orchestrated by the ANC Youth League supporters of Julius Malema and his leadership collectively, have crossed the line.” – Sapa

Related Topics: