Lukhona Mnguni: 'The Malema Headache" analysis by Moipone Malefane and Justice Malala (May 16)refers: The headache is not Malema; the biggest headache is the ANC, which evidently lacks clear direction and allows disciplinary matters to be tools for political games.

The notion that Malema is a headache is just the figment of people's imagination.

Malema the individual is very insignificant and weak, and lacking in political astuteness.

What he has proved to be is a great political tool for those who have control over him. Malema's case is the most telling of the real political dynamics in the ANC. It shows us that people were aligned to Zuma only to get rid of Thabo Mbeki, and not because they were compatible as comrades. Mantashe and Phosa have been at each other's throats recently, showing they do not get along politically.

Malema represents a bloc in the ANC, along with the likes of Tony Yengeni and Billy Masetlha, and because he serves these masters well, it appears that Malema is dangerous. His relationship with Cassel Mathale was more for Mathale's benefit, because at the time Malema was secretary-general of the ANC Youth League in Limpopo, and Mathale needed their support to ascend to the seat of chairman, and then premier of Limpopo.

Malema is nothing but a political pawn used to advance the interests of individuals. His political career will not be decided by the ANC, but by the ANCYL come 2011. The ANC exploits weaknesses to advance its own interests. That is why the ANCYL has been silent on issues of young people, constantly consumed by its mother the ANC. I was hoping political analysts would not just scratch the surface, but dig deeper.

Where was section 25.5 (i) when leaders called others "snakes"? Where was this clause prior to Polokwane, when T-shirts bearing faces of candidates were worn and those of others were burnt? Seeds of division have always been sown in the ANC.

The ANC enjoys an intimate relationship with Zanu-PF - they are political allies. That is why Baleka Mbethe went to a Zanu-PF celebration the weekend after Malema. Claims that she was trying to undo the damage done by Malema are just a smoke screen.

Malema is not smart enough to have got three charges against him dropped, and got members of the disciplinary panel to recuse themselves. That is the work of Phosa. The hype Malema creates on nationalisation is in the interests of a bloc in the ANC with business muscle. Malema's lack of composure while he was undressing the BBC journalist with words confirms he has no wit. No political leader in their right mind would say the things he said. This proved Malema the individual is weak and downright disrespectful, with no sense of dignity for himself.

The ANCYL battle next year is most likely to usher him out of South African politics, but for Malema to survive in life he needs political connections, because he is unemployable in the economic market. We anticipate a dirty fight by him to remain in power.

The outcome of the disciplinary hearing confirms that the ANC has no principles.