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(NEWZIMBABWE) Malema, Zuma clash over land, mines

Malema, Zuma clash over land, mines
12/05/2011 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter

SOUTH African President Jacob Zuma’s repudiation of Julius Malema’s stance on land redistribution is “not consistent” with party policy, the powerful ANC Youth League said on Thursday as it staunchly defended its leader.

Zuma, speaking to farmers in KwaZulu Natal, sought to deal with fears and insecurities around compulsory acquisition of land without compensation championed by Malema by suggesting the maverick was expressing his personal views.

“Malema is on a learning curve and the farming community must not be shaken by his comments,” Zuma was quoted as saying. “What he says are simply his views.”

But the Youth League, which is increasingly at odds with Zuma over government policy, said it was “concerned by the manner in which President Zuma addresses policy issues contained in the discussion documents of the ANC Youth League towards the 24th National Congress” which runs from June 16-20.

“The question of expropriation of land without compensation is a policy proposal contained in ANC Youth League discussion documents for the 24th National Congress, and not ‘simply his [Malema’s] views’. Attributing the views expressed in the discussion document to Malema is not helpful and can only serve to isolate him from the organisation,” the Youth League said in a statement following a meeting of its national working committee.

The League added: “We believe that the manner in which the issue of land reform was responded to is not consistent with this principle. Malema is expressing views contained in the ANC Youth League discussion document, which is inspired by the ANC 52nd National Conference’s observation which says:

“‘We have only succeeded in redistributing 4% of agricultural land since 1994, while more than 80% of agricultural land remains in the hands of fewer than 50,000 white farmers and agribusinesses. The willing-seller, willing-buyer approach to land acquisition has constrained the pace and efficacy of land reform. It is clear from our experience, that the market is unable to effectively alter the patterns of land ownership in favour of an equitable and efficient distribution of land’.”

The League went further to say it was “further concerned on how the question of nationalisation of mines is responded to because the ANC has a resolution on how the question should be approached, in line with the ANC National General Council’s ‘greater consensus on nationalisation of mines and other strategic sectors of the economy’ and the Freedom Charter.”

Labels: ANC YOUTH LEAGUE, JULIUS MALEMA, LAND REFORM, SOUTH AFRICA

posted by MrK @ 4:47 AM