IFP PRESS STATEMENT BY: 
MRS PAT LEBENYA-NTANZI
ACTING CHAIRPERSON OF THE IFP YOUTH BRIGADE

17th June 2008

The acting Chairperson of the IFP Youth Brigade, Mrs Pat Lebenya-Ntanzi, today said that the IFP Youth Brigade would like to express its discontent with remarks made by ANC Youth League President, Julius Malema, during a Youth Day rally in Thaba Nchu yesterday (16 June 2008).

Mrs Pat Lebenya-Ntanzi said: "Mr Malema is a youth leader and many young people look up to him as a role model. It is in this light that we are completely shocked by his statements that the ANCYL are prepared to take up arms and kill for Zuma," said Mrs Lebenya-Ntanzi.

"Today's press statement by the ANC commenting that the ANC Youth League is an autonomous body within the overall structure of the ANC and is entitled to articulate its own policies and positions on public platforms, shows that even the ANC is embarrassed by his comments."

In conclusion Mrs Lebenya-Ntanzi said: "Mr Malema must respect the rule of law and recognise and respect the independence of the judiciary.

"He must also recognise that his role as leader of one of the largest youth movement in South Africa comes with very large responsibilities and that his behaviour at all times should reflect that of a leader and not of a thug."