ANC RESPONSE TO THE ARTICLE ON THE SATURDAY STAR AND THE PRETORIA NEWS WEEKEND, DATED 07 November 2009, REGARDING THE ANCYL PRESIDENT SECURITY THREATHS

The African National Congress (ANC) finds the insinuations made by the DA and the ID regarding the security threats to the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) President, Julius Malema, outrageous and insensitive (see report).  Their response clearly indicates their moral bankruptcy.  We would have expected any South African to be worried about any threats to any other person, including cde Julius.

Instead of the DA and the ID being worried, as we are, they dismiss these threats without even giving a thought to their seriousness and therefore to the harm that may befell cde Julius Malema.  Their conduct and response on this matter is disgraceful.

It is unthinkable that these opposition parties could equate the security threat towards cde Julius as a "status thing" and government response as "waste of resources". Prominent leaders of political parties are entitled to VIP protection as and when their personal lives are under threat.  This has been a common practice since 1994.

This cheap politicking by these parties shows that their judgment is clouded by a deep seated hatred for Cde Malema.

Statement issued by Jackson Mthembu, African National Congress national spokesperson, November 7 2009

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