ANCYL President's comments reckless: ANC
The ANC has described comments by ANC Youth League (ANCYL) President Collen Maine - calling on uMkontho we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) to take up arms in defence of the President of the ANC - as unfortunate, irresponsible and reckless.
The Congress of the People (Cope) has laid criminal charges against Maine after the ANCYL President called on MKMVA to take up arms to defend the revolution in Ethekwini on Saturday.
"The freedom, peace and stability we enjoy in South Africa today came at a price. Amongst those freedoms, is the right to freedom of expression, which does not extend to inflammatory remarks such as those made by the Youth League President and should never be allowed to find space in our democratic society," the ANC said.
The ruling party says current challenges facing South Africa require reasoned, cogent and decisive leadership.
The ANC has instructed Maine to retract these comments.
"President Zuma is the democratically elected leader of our country, with more than 11 million South Africans having affirmed him as leader of our government in the recently held General Elections in 2014. He continues to enjoy overwhelming support from the majority of members of the ANC and society at large."