South African ANC youth leader Julius Malema rallies with supporters outside his home in Seshego township.<br/> <br />The ruling ANC expelled the 30-year-old party rebel - who shot to fame with calls to nationalise the country's platinum and gold mines, and seize white-owned farms - for bringing the movement into disrepute.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) ANC YOUTH LEAGUE LEADER, JULIUS MALEMA, SAYING:<br/> <br />"I will die for what I believe in, I have not done anything wrong, I did not steal from anybody, I did not kill anybody, I spoke on behalf of ANC Youth League and I am persecuted for speaking on behalf of the Youth League and I am not prepared to sell out the positions of the ANC Youth League under any circumstance."<br/> <br />Malema's opponents also gathered outside his house, carrying a symolic tombstone made out of a cardboard box.<br/> <br />But later the placards were used for a different purpose, as the celebratory atmosphere soured and the two rival groups clashed.<br/> <br />Malema was found guilty in November by a party disciplinary council of causing rifts in the ANC and undermining its credibility by calling for the overthrow of the government of neighbouring Botswana.<br/> <br />He was suspended for five years but allowed to keep his party posts pending an appeal, which was rejected on Wednesday.<br/> <br />On the streets of Johannesburg, residents expressed satisfaction over his expulsion.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) LOCAL RESIDENT JOHANNES VAN DEN NEST, SAYING:<br/> <br />"I think they did the best that they could have to save the face of the ANC to a certain extent, because he cared for no one, he was just rude, and irrespective whether you are an elder or a young man, it was one thing with him, what he wanted to say he said, and that was that."<br/> <br />Malema's departure from the ANC alters the political landscape in South Africa, sidelining one of President Jacob Zuma's most vocal foes.<br/> <br />Nick Rowlands, Reuters.
