News / Africa
Winnie Mandela castigated for supporting Malema
20 Jul 2012 at 02:24hrs | Views
WINNIE Madikizela-Mandela's decision to continue to endorse expelled ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema is "dangerous to the orgarnisation".
This is according to ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantanshe, who took a dim view of the decision by the organisation's stalwart to support Malema.
"What she is doing is dangerous for the organisation. She has taken a decision to go against the ANC national executive committee's (position) on Julius. She has decided to oppose the decision," Mantashe told the Sowetan yesterday.
Madikizela-Mandela was accompanied by Malema and other suspended ANCYL leaders - Floyd Shivambu and Sandiso Maqaga - during her 67 minutes in Qunu on Wednesday.
She referred to Malema as her grandson and thanked him for making "us see in our lifetime that it is possible to liberate our people economically and better their lives".
"Thank you very much for leading that campaign because it is as a result of your emphasis, the youth league's emphasis on the role we should be playing as freedom fighters."
Mantashe said he regarded Madikizela-Mandela's decision to support Malema as being ill-disciplined.
When asked if the ANC would seek a meeting with her or discipline her, he said that had nothing to do with the media.
But two NEC members, who spoke to the Sowetan, said Madikizela-Mandela was caught up in factional battles and her actions showed that she wanted President Jacob Zuma replaced in December.
Madikizela-Mandela's stance comes after she recently refused to attend the ANC's centenary memorial lecture, which was delivered by President Jacob Zuma in Limpopo.
She wrote a scathing letter to ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu, accusing the ANC of using the Mandela name and subjecting the family to shabby treatment.
Madikizela-Mandela's relationship with Malema dates to as far back as when she was in trouble with the law andMalema took her side.
She was charged with fraud but in July 2004 an appeal judge of the Pretoria High Court ruled that "the crimes were not committed for personal gain".
This is according to ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantanshe, who took a dim view of the decision by the organisation's stalwart to support Malema.
"What she is doing is dangerous for the organisation. She has taken a decision to go against the ANC national executive committee's (position) on Julius. She has decided to oppose the decision," Mantashe told the Sowetan yesterday.
Madikizela-Mandela was accompanied by Malema and other suspended ANCYL leaders - Floyd Shivambu and Sandiso Maqaga - during her 67 minutes in Qunu on Wednesday.
She referred to Malema as her grandson and thanked him for making "us see in our lifetime that it is possible to liberate our people economically and better their lives".
"Thank you very much for leading that campaign because it is as a result of your emphasis, the youth league's emphasis on the role we should be playing as freedom fighters."
Mantashe said he regarded Madikizela-Mandela's decision to support Malema as being ill-disciplined.
When asked if the ANC would seek a meeting with her or discipline her, he said that had nothing to do with the media.
But two NEC members, who spoke to the Sowetan, said Madikizela-Mandela was caught up in factional battles and her actions showed that she wanted President Jacob Zuma replaced in December.
Madikizela-Mandela's stance comes after she recently refused to attend the ANC's centenary memorial lecture, which was delivered by President Jacob Zuma in Limpopo.
She wrote a scathing letter to ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu, accusing the ANC of using the Mandela name and subjecting the family to shabby treatment.
Madikizela-Mandela's relationship with Malema dates to as far back as when she was in trouble with the law andMalema took her side.
She was charged with fraud but in July 2004 an appeal judge of the Pretoria High Court ruled that "the crimes were not committed for personal gain".
Source - sowetanlive
