ANC Youth to defend its call on PEC body

THE ANC Youth League will defend in court its 2016 decision to dissolve its Eastern Cape provincial executive committee.

The disbanded Eastern Cape ANCYL PEC and its secretary-general Butsha Lali yesterday brought an application in the Grahamstown High Court to set aside the September 2016 decision by ANCYL president Collen Maine and his national executive committee to dissolve the PEC.

The matter was to be heard on the unopposed motion court roll. However, the ANCYL indicated at the last minute that it intended fighting the matter.

Lali claims in court papers that the disbanding of the PEC was procedurally unfair and flouted the rules of natural justice. The PEC was given no notice of the decision before it was made, nor was it given an opportunity to make representations.

Despite appealing against the decision to the then ANC top six consisting of Jacob Zuma, Cyril Ramaphosa, Zweli Mkhize, Gwede Mantashe, Baleka Mbete and Jesse Duarte, in December 2016, he said no decision had been forthcoming, leaving no alternative but to resort to the courts, said Lali.

The former PEC wants the decision to dissolve it declared void and unenforceable.

The matter was postponed to June 28 for argument, said Advocate Fabian Pretorius, who appeared for Lali and the PEC.

The ANCYL will foot the wasted legal costs caused by the postponement.