Malema hearing underway

ANC Youth League president Julius Malema's disciplinary hearing was underway at Luthuli House in Johannesburg on Sunday morning.

African National Congress spokesman Keith Khoza said closing arguments would be heard.

The session was delayed earlier as Malema arrived late.

The outcome of the hearing would be announced to the public by the end of next week. The ANC disciplinary committee said it would need a few days to write the ruling, and the report would then be sent to ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe. Malema's first appearance before the committee took place at Luthuli House in September, but the venue was changed after violence erupted on the streets surrounding the ANC's headquarters.

Youth league members and supporters threw rocks, bottles and bricks at journalists and police, and burnt ANC flags and t-shirts bearing the image of President Jacob Zuma.

On Friday, committee chairman Derek Hanekom said the hearing had been rescheduled twice.

The ANC has charged Malema with bringing the party into disrepute and sowing division within party ranks.

Earlier this year, he said the league would send a team to Botswana to consolidate local opposition parties and help bring about regime change.

Malema subsequently apologised for the remarks.

Also charged are ANCYL spokesman Floyd Shivambu, deputy president Ronald Lamola, treasurer general Pule Mabe, secretary general Sindiso Magaqa, and deputy secretary general Kenetswe Mosenogi.