‘Malema’s remorse letter too late’

Mr Mantashe said the letter from the expelled ANC Youth League leader was received after the programme for the conference had been adopted, and it could no longer form part of the discussions.

In the letter, Mr Malema — expelled in April for sowing divisions and bringing the party into disrepute, and expected to appear in court next year on several charges of fraud and money-laundering — asked to return to his former position in the league.

Mr Malema’s ally and former ANC youth league spokesman Floyd Shivambu said on Monday that he, along with Mr Malema and former league secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa, submitted the letter on Sunday to ask the party to “reverse the outcomes . . . that culminated in our suspensions and expulsion from the ANC”.

In a joint statement, the three said they were willing to behave appropriately.

“We remain loyal supporters and members of the ANC willing to be corrected and guided under its principles.”

The trio said they had not gone to court because they believed the national conference should reconsider the disciplinary process that led to their expulsion.

In the letter they called on the ANC to reverse their expulsions and to reinstate them into their former positions in the league.

They also asked that Mr Malema be given back his spot on the ANC’s provincial executive committee in Limpopo.

The three remained vague on exactly what “other options to seek fair hearing and justice” they might explore if their request was unsuccessful.

Mr Mantashe said yesterday the disciplinary process against Mr Malema and his allies had been completed because the ANC’s national disciplinary committee of appeals was the final structure that dealt with the matter.

The ANC national executive committee earlier this year declined to review a decision of the appeals committee. “That case was discussed, exhausted and finished,” said Mr Mantashe.

Mr Malema was expelled from the ANC for 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.

Mr Shivambu was suspended from the ANC for three years for swearing at a journalist and for issuing a statement calling for a change of government in Botswana.

Mr Magaqa, whose period of suspension was reduced from three years to one year on appeal, made derogatory remarks about Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba and the ANC’s stance on nationalisation. — Sapa.