ANC expels youth leader Julius Malema

South Africa's firebrand youth leader Julius Malema yesterday lost his appeal against expulsion from the ruling ANC party. An appeal panel upheld the party's decision in November to eject Mr Malema, the Youth League president, for five years, after finding him guilty of bringing the movement into disrepute. The decision is a blow to the political ambitions of the 30-year-old, who has been a critic of the ANC leadership and courted controversy with his lifestyle and views. He is also facing a criminal investigation into his finances. After the appeal ruling, party officials granted Mr Malema another chance to challenge the decision, but, following the panel's unanimous verdict the decision appears unlikely to change.