W Cape ANC ignores rival youth league

THE WESTERN Cape ANC believes it’s not necessary to respond to disgruntled ANC Youth League (ANCYL) members who have made calls for action to be taken against an “illegitimate” youth league in the province.

ANCYL activists have called on the provincial executive council (PEC) to take action against the illegitimate youth league PEC and to take administrative powers from the failed ANC Dullah Omar (Cape Metro) region.

“We have noted with awe the recent political developments in the country, particularly the Pietermaritzburg High Court ruling that the ANC PEC in KwaZulu-Natal is illegitimate,” said former task team member Mesuli Kama.

“The bone of contention in the case was around the term of office of elected structures. We, who have been saying the Western Cape ANCYL PEC is unconstitutional as it continues to stay in office beyond the end of its term, feel vindicated by the ruling,” he said.

The infighting between the two groups is also seen as proxy battles for the two main presidential ANC candidates, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and former African Union chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.

“We have written to the Western Cape ANC provincial secretary asking him not to invite the bogus structure to ANC PEC meetings, as their presence and participation may delegitimise decisions taken in PEC meetings,” he said.

However, the activists’ letter fell on deaf ears, as the provincial leadership believes it’s not necessary to respond to their calls.

Approached for comment, Faiez Jacobs, provincial secretary, simply said: “Not needed.”