Former SAYC-EC leaders to fight disbandment

THE former leadership of the South African Youth Council (SAYC) in the Eastern Cape is to approach the Bhisho High Court in a bid to have their disbandment nullified.

The group – led by former chairman Sicelo Mleve, former secretary Ayanda Mafunda and former treasurer Tebogo Noludwe – was disbanded earlier this year and another structure calling itself the provincial task team (PTT) and led by firebrand Vuyokazi Mboxela, was elected.

Mleve and the other two then approached the King William’s Town Magistrate’s Court to interdict the provincial task team of the SAYC from operating until the ousted leadership was given valid reasons for their dismissal.

The PTT continued with its work of the provincial elections.

Last week, the magistrate’s court dismissed Mleve’s application.

Speaking to the Dispatch yesterday, Noludwe said they welcomed the decision of the court but would now focus on a new court challenge seeking to nullify their disbandment.

“The entire disbandment emanated from the fact that the chairman and the secretary did not see eye to eye, something that we had worked on and changed,” said Noludwe.

Noludwe and Mleve made headlines in March after they were accused by other members of the provincial executive of embezzling a R500 000 allocation given to the council by premier Phumulo Masualle’s office.

At the time, it was reported that the pair were accused of spending some of the funds organising on hotels, car hire and bars while money was also said to have been withdrawn from the council’s bank account, allegations they have denied.

Mboxela, the new general secretary, said the SAYC-EC leadership was “overjoyed” by the court judgment and hoped it would allow the council to continue with its programmes.

“We have been engaged in court proceedings since February,” said Mboxela, adding that the ousted leaders had failed to lobby for youth development and instead enriched themselves and led lavish lifestyles.

“They arrogantly misused public funds in different clubs in the province, buying personal items, accommodating themselves in different hotels and B&Bs,” he said.

Together the three had cost taxpayers R110 000 each month with Mleve pocketing R50 000 and Noludwe and Mafunda R30 000 each.

“This … was at the expense of youth development. Even the official responsible for youth development at the premier’s office could not pick up this reckless criminality done with the public funds,” said Mboxela. —