ANC YOUTH LEAGUE STATEMENT ON THE WRONG REPORTS OF INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS:
The ANC Youth League places it on record that ANC Youth League President Julius Malema never mentioned President Jacob Zuma when addressing the Regional Congress of the ANC Youth League in Mopani Region, Limpopo on Saturday, the 26th of March 2011. Consistent with the public statement released by the ANC Youth League on the 21st of March, the President repeated the criticism and concern the Youth League holds on South African government's approach to the Libyan situation. The President never mentioned President Jacob Zuma as reported in Independent Newspapers.
The ANC Youth League has already instructed its Legal representatives to demand the retraction of these allegations by Independent Newspapers (see report). We did so because there was absolutely no Journalist from Independent Newspapers who was at the ANC YL regional congress in Mopani who can claim they heard President Julius Malema mention the name of President Jacob Zuma in the manner they have reported. The ANC Youth League is in possession of an unedited video footage of the address by ANC YL President and it shows that there was no mention of President Jacob Zuma on the address.
It is disgusting that the Independent Newspapers rely on hearsay and rumours to report on issues they have not originally captured. The ANC YL is aware that as we get closer to the 24th National Congress, certain media houses will deliberately drive distortions with lame intentions to influence the outcomes of the National Congress. This is reflected in the regrettable report by Independent Newspapers.
The ANC Youth League is fully aware of the media's agenda to draw divisions in the ANC and portray a picture that there are irreconcilable differences between the leadership of the ANC and ANC Youth League. Contrary to what is portrayed in the media, the ANC Youth League still has confidence in the leadership of the ANC and will do anything to defend its integrity.
Statement issued by the ANC Youth League, March 29 2011
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