War of words builds on parallel youth structures
CONFUSION reigns over the status of the Alfred Nzo ANCYL regional executive, which recently accused ANC provincial chairman Phumulo Masualle of using the Hawks to deal with perceived political opponents.
Another group, calling itself the ANCYL Regional Task Team (RTT) in the region in question, has now denounced its legitimacy.
The league’s provincial task team (PTT) convener Mziwonke Ndabeni said the RTT was the only recognised structure in Alfred Nzo. But according to ANCYL national executive committee (NEC) member and national spokesman Mlondi Mkhize, the leadership (REC) elected in the chaotic elective conference in February was still a legitimate structure.
Mkhize told the Dispatch that no dispute had been laid with the league’s head office to contest the outcomes of the February elective conference and therefore the national body did not recognise the RTT despite its nod from the PTT.
Mkhize presided over the February conference as an NEC deployee.
The gathering, held at eMaXesibeni (formerly Mt Ayliff), degenerated into chaos, with shots being fired and fist fights breaking out.
Nonetheless, an REC chaired by Nelisiwe Xolo was elected with the blessing of the national desk.
However, in the same month the ANCYL PTT appointed the Alfred Nzo RTT with Lwazi Matetela as convener.
It was the Xolo-led REC who wrote to Masualle accusing him of using state machinery to persecute political opponents. This is the group associated with the ANC mother body’s Alfred Nzo REC, which last month pronounced that it would lobby for provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane to replace Masualle as chairman at the party’s July conference.
The RTT is known to support Masualle’s bid for a third term as provincial chairman.
The RTT said the Xolo-led group was a bogus structure.
“As the RTT we have noted that there is a group of young people who move across the region calling themselves the Regional Executive Committee of the ANCYL,” said Matetela.
“We condemn this conduct and we view it as a smear campaign by those involved to undermine the work of the Provincial Task Team.”
The RTT accused Xolo’s group of being the “henchmen” used by the region’s treasurer Babalo Madikizela “to protect his business interests”.
But Madikizela yesterday dismissed the RTT saying he did not recognise them. “I do not know those people and what they are talking about.
“What I know is that young people of Alfred Nzo were planning to march to the premier’s office.” He was referring to the REC’s plan to march to Bhisho. —