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S. African ruling party's youth body denies leader's call to incite violence

Xinhua, October 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) on Tuesday denied allegations that a call by its leader to take up arms to protect President Jacob Zuma was intended to incite violence.

This came after ANCYL President Collen Maine came under fire for calling on members of MK Veterans, a former armed wing of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), to take up arms to protect Jacob Zuma who is being investigated for allegedly being influenced by the Indian Gupta family in the appointment of cabinet ministers.

Maine made the call on Saturday during a pro-Zuma march outside the Durban City Hall.

The ANC has distanced itself from Maine's provocative statement, saying it views his utterances as "unfortunate, irresponsible and reckless". The ANC has instructed Maine to retract these comments.

The address of Maine also prompted allegations that what he said amounted to inciting violence. But the ANCYL said it does not view Maine's statement so.

Maine's statement was taken out of context, the ANCYL said in a statement emailed to Xinhua.

"The Constitution affords every person a right to freedom of expression, which includes the right to impart information and ideas, provided that this right does not extend to inciting imminent violence," said ANCYL national spokesperson Mlondi Mkhize in the statement.

For one to be accused of inciting violence --"violence must be intended, likely and imminent," Mkhize added.

He said the statement was not directed against any specific person, neither was it intended or directed at any particular person or group of persons.

"The President of the ANCYL does not have the authority to instruct members of the MK Veterans to bring guns," Mkhize said, adding that Maine did not call for any members of the MK Veterans to shoot at any person.

"As a result, the alleged violence is not likely nor in any way imminent," said Mkhize. Enditem