With their cameras and recorders Journalists were by 8pm still waiting outside Luthuli House for news on the outcome of ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema's mitigation hearing.
Malema who claimed to be with his sick grandmother had not arrived and it was unclear whether a statement on the outcome would be released by the ANC's national disciplinary committee, as promised earlier.
Policemen were stationed at the door to the ruling party's headquarters. The streets surrounding Luthuli House, in central Johannesburg, remained open to traffic, and there was no sign of Malema supporters.
Journalists were ordered not to stand near the building and told to go across the road.
Parked at the corner of the building, on Sauer Street, was a police van and a Nyala.
On February 4 the African National Congress's national disciplinary committee of appeals announced it had upheld the conviction of Malema and five ANCYL officials for bringing the party into disrepute and sowing divisions.
Malema was suspended for five years. League spokesman Floyd Shivambu, deputy president Ronald Lamola, treasurer general Pule Mabe, secretary general Sindiso Magaqa and deputy secretary general Kenetswe Mosenogi were suspended for periods ranging from 18 months to three years.
Their appeal against their sentences was dismissed. They were then allowed to present evidence in mitigation. The sentences were suspended pending the outcome of this hearing.
Sapa
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