Johannesburg – Disputes that arose prior to the convening of the ANC Youth League’s conference had all been resolved, the league’s national task team convenor Fikile Mbalula said on Friday.
“We have attended to and resolved all disputes…what we have now are renegades who should actually be fired from the organisation. The ANC does not fire people, but we now have renegades who took the organisation to court, which is a very expensive exercise,” Mbalula told journalists after delivering the ANCYL political overview to the conference delegates in Johannesburg.
The renegades he referred to were led by Thabo Arafat Molamu from the North West. The group approached the High Court in Pretoria on Thursday, on the eve of the elective congress, to stop proceedings, alleging that there were irregularities in auditing of branches. The case was consequently dismissed with costs.
The outspoken Mbalula charged at those he said had deep pockets and wanted to destroy the ANC.
“These people with deep pockets use young people like child soldiers…they have invested in this, but we will deal with them.”
The NTT said the group would face a disciplinary hearing.
The league’s last leadership, led by Julius Malema, was dissolved in 2013. Malema, who formed his own political party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, was expelled from the African National Congress Youth League in 2012 for bringing the party into disrepute.
The ANCYL national task team was appointed by the ANC to rebuild the fractured youth organisation’s structures. Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa was the coordinator of the NTT, while Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula was the convenor.
The run up to the presidential race for the league saw North West MEC of Human Settlements Collen Maine being nominated by most provinces. Former ANCYL treasurer Pule Mabe, Lesego Makhubela from the Tshwane region and former youth league deputy president Ronald Lamola are also presidential hopefuls.
ANA