ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has been accused of interfering in the running of the affairs of the party’s youth league as the structure convenes to elect new leaders.
Mbalula caused a political storm when he pulled the plug on ANC Youth League National Youth Task Team (NYTT) convenor Xola Nqola, whom he appointed to the position barely three months ago.
Nqola was shown the door after he allegedly misrepresented Mbalula on what has since been termed “the bogus” ANCYL Eastern Cape provincial conference early this week.
“On Monday, June 26 2023, the secretary-general’s office convened a meeting on a virtual platform that continued into the earlier hours of Tuesday, 27 June. The meeting received reports from the ANCYL NYTT, the ANCYL Eastern Cape provincial congress preparatory committee, and the ANC Eastern Cape province.
“It was clear from the reports presented, and the discussion that followed, that the planned ANCYL Eastern Cape provincial congress had not been duly and properly authorized,” said Mbalula in a letter cutting Nqola to size.
Mbalula argued that Nqola defied his instruction not to proceed with the provincial conference until the conclusion of the young lions’ national congress set to commence on Friday.
Furthermore, Nqola allegedly misled the membership by falsely communicating that the secretary-general had sanctioned the continuation of the Eastern Cape congress, Mbalula said.
Citing this as gross ill-discipline and defiance, Mbalula announced the immediate termination of Nqola’s membership in the ANC Youth League National Youth Task Team, along with his position as convenor.
“This behaviour is unacceptable and amounts to gross ill-discipline and defiance. This leaves the SG [secretary-general] with no option but to take the necessary urgent corrective measures in order to ensure that the mandate given to the ANCYL by the NWC [national working committee] is carried out.
“Accordingly, we hereby inform you that your membership of the ANCYL NYTT, and, by extension, your position as its convenor, are terminated with immediate effect,” he said.
The suspension of Nqola has sparked controversy within the ANC, with questions arising about the extent of Mbalula’s authority as secretary-general and the room for abuse of same.
The facilitator of the elections committee responsible for overseeing the election side of things for the ANCYL congress this weekend, Donald Selamolela, defended Mbalula, saying he was bound to be accused of interfering for doing his job.
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