Malema could be expelled from ANC: Analysts

SA political analysts on Saturday according to 'The Sowetan' said the ANC's national working committee, tired of ANC Youth League president Julius Malema's erratic behaviour, could today push that he be charged and face a disciplinary committee which could result in him being expelled from the party.

President Jacob Zuma's level of tolerance appears to have been stretched beyond limit after a series of subtle attacks on his leadership by Malema.

TheSunday Times reported yesterday that Zuma ejected Malema and his executive from the ANC's national executive committee meeting last Monday.

The newly elected ANCYL executive were supposed to have been inducted at that meeting.

But after deliberations among ANC NEC members, it was decided that the bilateral meeting with the youth league should be postponed.

Despite the league being informed about the postponement, the young lions surged into the meeting.

Zuma is reported to have told Malema: "Who do you think you are? You think you are in charge of this country?"

The ANC took the decision to cancel the meeting to allow the party space to discuss Malema's utterances on Botswana.

Sensing that there were moves to deal with Malema over the Botswana debacle, the league on Saturday publicly apologised and withdrew its statement that it would work with opposition parties to bring down the Ian Khama-led government. Political analyst Elvis Masoga yesterday said South Africa could be witnessing the end of Malema's political career.

"Zuma once warned that the ANC is an elephant which moves slowly, but when it moves and puts it foot down, whoever has been treating the elephant with contempt will be crushed.

"There is a strong possibility that Malema will be charged and come before a DC. Anything can happen. Leaders of the ANC were expelled before and he could also face that possibility," Masoga said.

Executive director of the Centre for Politics and Research, Prince Mashele, said "it was not impossible" that action could be taken against Malema.

"Those who are tired of Malema's theatrics might push that he be charged. It will not be the first time that Malema is charged. So it can happen. But even though Zuma and other members of the ANC are sick and tired of Malema's theatrics, they will also consider the fact that there is an ANC conference in 2012 and there could be serious ramifications should he be charged."