Business Day
*Malema losing grip on league in KwaZulu-Natal* *Sibongakonke Shoba, Business Day, Johannesburg, 4 November 2011*EMBATTLED African National Congress (ANC) Youth League leader Julius Malema appears to be losing his grip of the league in KwaZulu-Natal, with some of his backers turning against him.
Business Day learnt yesterday that five members of the 18-member provincial task team appointed by Mr Malema have resigned from the interim structure and gone on to endorse the disbanded committee as legitimate leaders. Sources said among those who resigned was task team co-ordinator Sphe Zulu.
Mr Malema had gained control of the league in the province last month after disbanding a provincial executive committee loyal to President Jacob Zuma . He replaced it with a structure believed to be dominated by his own loyalists.
Mr Malema's league is campaigning for Mr Zuma's deputy Kgalema Motlanthe to take over the reins at the ANC elective conference in Mangaung next year. For the anti- Zuma campaign to have some presence in the province, it was crucial for Mr Malema to have his backers at the helm of the league in KwaZulu- Natal, the ANC's biggest province.
Although the province was expected to overwhelmingly endorse Mr Zuma's second-term bid next year, Mr Malema's supporters could make some inroads if they remain in control of the league.
Task team convener Vukani Ndlovu played down the resignations, claiming only two leaders "excused" themselves from participating in the structure. Mr Ndlovu denied Mr Zulu was one those who had resigned. "It is a lie unless there are others who have resigned that I don't know of."
Mr Zulu did not deny or confirm he was no longer part of the task team, which is tasked with running the province until the planned elective conference next February.
A youth leader said more members of the team were expected to resign, a sign of defiance of Mr Malema's leadership.
The disbanded pro-Zuma structure has appealed to the ANC to reverse the move . Former chairman Mthandeni Dlungwane said a meeting with secretary-general Gwede Mantashe would take place soon.
The task team and the disbanded executive committee both claimed to be the legitimate leaders.
Mr Dlungwane's executive was dissolved after expressing support for Mr Zuma's re-election. The committee also refused to bus league members to support Mr Malema at his first appearance before the ANC disciplinary committee.
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