President Jacob Zuma has lashed out at expelled and current ANC Youth League leaders for expressing their differences outside the party’s official structures. The President was addressing the ANC’s centenary lecture in honour of the party’s former President Dr. James Moroka in Mahikeng yesterday.

Expelled ANC Youth League President Julius Malema and some of his close allies have been critical of President Zuma’s leadership.  Malema has used his address to Marikana miners to call for the resignation of President Zuma and Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa. 

In a veiled attack on some of the Youth League leadership, Zuma argued that they lacked the discipline displayed by the party’s former young leaders like fortmer president Nelson Mandela and late ANC stalwart Walter Sisulu when articulating their grievances and policy positions.

“What is important with this lesson is that these leaders of the ANC were also part of the ANC Youth League leadership. They lobbied the mother body. They did not hold ANC Youth League meetings away from the ANC and debate these issues,” added Zuma.

“That’s how the ANC Youth League operates. They don’t campaign and insult the leadership in their own meetings,” says Zuma.

They don’t campaign and insult the leadership in their own meetings

Zuma has meanwhile rejected allegations that his government conspired with Lonmin mine management to kill striking workers. Police shot dead 34 workers during clashes at an informal settlement near the mine, last Thursday.

Ten other people, including two police officers and two security guards had also been killed, allegedly by the striking workers. Zuma has since announced a judicial commission of inquiry into the killings.

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