Tensions have gone high between the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) in Free State and the ANC provincial executive committee (PEC), which had issued stern instructions for the young lions to apologise and retract its comments suggesting Health MEC Viceroy Monyatso Mahlatsi should lose his lucrative position.
Responding to the conflict, rooted in both political strategy and inter-organisational dynamics, ANC spokesperson Jabu Mbalula, also the police MEC, ordered the youth league to retract its statement and apologise to Cosatu and
Mahlatsi for demanding his resignation.
The directive came after the youth league publicly called for Mahlatsi’s dismissal and replacement by Zama Sigwebela. They cited Mahlatsi’s alleged
sabotage during the ANC’s election campaign and his unsuitability for the MEC role.
Mbalula emphasised the importance of internal structures for voicing concerns and deemed the ANCYL’s public outcry “unpalatable and uncomradely”.
He said the PEC’s position stressed the necessity of organisational unity and disciplined communication within the ANC.
Said Mbalula: “The ANCYL has the right to raise any issue affecting young people in the province. This must be raised within the created internal structures. It is regrettable that the ANCYL in the province
opted to canvass its views for the inclusion of youth in the executive council through the media and by lamenting Cosatu and Cde Monyatso Mahlatsi in particular. We view this as unpalatable and uncomradely.
“The PEC has directed the ANCYL to retract its statement and apologise to Cosatu.”
Conversely, Mayibuye Bangani, the ANCYL’s provincial secretary, openly rejected the PEC’s directive, asserting the youth league’s autonomy and right to critique.
Bangani said the defiant stance was rooted in dissatisfaction with the current representation of youth in the
provincial executive council, portraying the ANCYL as a critical and independent voice within the ANC.
He underscored the league’s refusal to be treated like “headless chickens”. Yesterday, Bangani said “We want to categorically state that we are in no position to bastardise or present an anti-working-class stance. The ANCYL in Free State doesn’t believe that it will be silenced by the ANC or individuals within the ANC. Our stance remains to not comply with bullying-tactics but to raise issues as solid as we can. We remain firm that the Free State Executive Council has no representation of the youth, it is a daylight fact.”
He accused ANC PEC leaders of attempting to suppress legitimate concerns and insisted that the ANCYL would continue to advocate for youth representation and resist what he perceived as bullying tactics.
