South African ruling party expels Malema, but what's next?

“But the problem here is that if this anger is not organized, it can’t be translated into policy,” Mr. Friedman. “I’m very pessimistic that the ANC Youth League can do that, even with a change of leadership. They are too out of touch.”

For the time being, reaction to Malema’s expulsion has been muted. ANC Youth League spokesman Mr. Shivambu told reporters that the Youth League would study the decision before making an announcement next Monday about whether he, Malema, and Mr. Mangaqa plan to appeal.

In Polokwane, Malema’s hometown, there were reports of gunfire outside of Malema’s house, between Malema supporters and members of rival ANCYL factions.

Outside his home, Malema told reporters he had accepted the National Disciplinary Committee judgment, but warned that he is not finished.

"It is still early to celebrate,” Malema said of his expulsion, “because the road ahead of us is going to be very long and needs men and women who are very strong. We must accept that this is the decision, but that is not the end of the road."

Malema is not without allies in this fight. He is thought to have strong supporters within the senior ANC leadership whose aims are at odds with those of South African President Jacob Zuma, who is also president of the ANC. Malema initially was among Zuma’s staunchest supporters in his rise to power in early 2008, but the two have fallen out over issues of personality and policy. Malema has recently advocated for the unpaid confiscation of white farms and the nationalization of mines, positions that are at odds with Zuma’s spirit of compromise, but popular for those who believe white South Africans continue to control the country’s wealth and exclude black citizens from economic empowerment.

Among Malema’s most visible supporters is former President Nelson Mandela’s ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Ms. Madikizela-Mandela attended Malema’s disciplinary hearings in February, and Malema visited her home soon after the disciplinary committee’s preliminary findings were announced last month.

ANC spokesman, Jackson Mthembu, said the ANC welcomed and respected the findings of the National Disciplinary Committee.
 
 "We call on our members and those of our leagues to respect this decision," said Mr. Mthembu. 

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