Mines grab will happen, Malema insists

Polokwane - Embattled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema said nationalisation of the mines is a concluded matter and that the ruling party is studying the best model for it.

"Mines should be nationalised. Nationalisation is concluded. I don't understand the ANC process to be saying we are investigating nationalisation of mines. I understand the ANC process to be saying we are looking to get the best model for nationalisation," said Malema on Tuesday.

The youth leader was addressing thousands of students at the University of Limpopo's Turfloop Campus at an OR Tambo Memorial lecture.

The ANC has celebrated its former leader Oliver Tambo since October was declared Tambo month in 2008.

Malema said: “Nationalisation is a concluded and closed matter."

His assertion comes shortly after President Jacob Zuma assured the business community that nationalisation was not the policy of the ANC.

Malema said foreign companies had enriched their countries by outsourcing production of mining commodities. He said polishing diamonds in London and other countries had deprived local people of job opportunities.

"Diamonds are polished in Johannesburg and London, and leave the people of Kimberley without jobs," said Malema.

The youth league would never compromise in that regard.

Malema gave an example of the high level of poverty in Sekhukhune despite the area being rich in mineral resources.

"We are nationalising. We want the people of Sekhukhune to look like the platinum they are sitting on."

What made Johannesburg a big city was a return investment by the discoverers of gold and the same should have happened in other mining towns.

Malema said the ANC had never established a city, accepting the apartheid towns as established by the apartheid government.

ANC chairperson and Limpopo premier Cassel Mathale told Malema that the ANC in the province would support him over the disciplinary hearing instituted by the ANC.

"We are with you all the way," said Mathale.

Malema was charged with bringing the ANC into disrepute over a statement he made that the Botswana regime should be overthrown.

Mathale said ANC leaders were supposed to advise Malema when he made a mistake and not punish him.

"When you make a mistake it is the responsibility of leaders to guide and show direction," said Mathale.