 Malema a losing bet? A flurry of blows against embattled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema could be a sign that the firebrand leader is in danger of losing his backers as pressure mounts on him because of his lavish lifestyle. The Sunday Times reported that Malema has allegedly received payments from businessman Steve Bosch, who has won tenders worth tens of millions of rands in Limpopo. The paper said Bosch's company, Sizani Build It, made two payments, totalling R1.2-million, into the Investec account of the architect who is building Malema's multimillion- rand mansion in Sandton. Bosch's company scored government tenders awarded by the Limpopo department of roads and transport, which is advised on tender awards by a company, On-Point, in which Malema's Ratanang Trust has a stake, said the paper. Bosch's company won tenders most recently on July 14. On Saturday, Malema had to retract, and apologise for, his statements on Botswana. He had said that the league would send a "command team" to the country to help bring about regime change. Advocacy group Afriforum, which has opened a corruption case against Malema, said yesterday that it would ask the Hawks to investigate yesterday's allegations. Analysts say Malema's change in fortunes, and the emergence of new allegations about his personal finances, indicate that he could soon lose the backing of a faction within the ANC national executive committee that has protected him for years. Political analyst Steven Friedman said Malema's backers found themselves in a difficult position now that there is the possibility of disciplinary action being taken against the youth leader. Friedman said one ANC faction had been backing Malema in the belief that he could be useful in taking control of the party. Another faction is still pushing for him to be disciplined. "If pressure keeps on building about his personal finances, it could make the people who used to think he was useful [decide against] backing him anymore," he said. The pro-Malema faction might fear that he has become an embarrassment to them. "The last time he was faced with similar allegations, he sang the [dubul'ibhunu] song and that diverted attention away from that story. I think this time he tried to use Botswana to do the same, but it is not working," said Friedman. Another analyst, Daniel Silke, said that taking action against the youth leader could give President Jacob Zuma a stronger position and earn him respect in the party. While speculation mounts on whether Malema will be hauled before a disciplinary hearing this week, the ANC denied yesterday that its spokesman, Jackson Mthembu, had told a journalist that Malema could be charged despite the ANCYL apology. "The national spokesperson indicated that the ANC will have to weigh whether the ANCYL apology and the retraction does reverse the damage to the image of the ANC and the country," the party said. -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] . |
