Juju hearing gets off to a slow start

The disciplinary hearing against ANC Youth League president Julius Malema and his top lieutenants resumed in Johannesburg yesterday.

Malema is facing charges of sowing divisions in the party and bringing the ANC into disrepute for statements he made about the government of Botswana.

It is understood league spokesman Floyd Shivambu and secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa appeared before the ANC's national disciplinary committee yesterday.

The ANC said last night the hearing would resume tomorrow.

Security was again tight, with police mounting roadblocks at all entrances leading to the suburb where the hearings are being conducted.

• President Jacob Zuma's spokesman, Mac Maharaj, said he was "concerned and disappointed" at a report quoting Zuma as saying the ANC would not give up on Malema but would "mould" him into a good leader.

He was quoted in an article about the Equality Court order interdicting ANC members and Malema from singing the struggle song, Dubhul' ibhunu. Maharaj said the interview took place last Thursday, several days before the judgment and on a "totally unrelated topic".

The ANC also said it intended challenging Monday's Equality Court ruling.