Amathole ANCYL congress declared null and void

The Mthatha high court has declared the Amathole ANC Youth League conference, held in Port Alfred in September, null and void.

The court ruled last week that the regional conference had not been properly convened, a decision that is being appealed by the opposing side.

Regional task team (RTT) coordinator Mputumi Duba says the league and 20 others convened the elective conference incorrectly. National ANCYL chair Collen Maine was one of the respondents.

Duba said as a member with voting rights he was not allowed into the congress venue.

Sanga Maneli and Aviwe Silo, two of the 21 respondents who defended the matter, said Duba did not have the best interests of the league at heart and was not a member.

They told the court Duba’s membership had lapsed when he reached the age of 35, as per the rules of the league. Duba is 37.

Judge Mbulelo Jolwana, in handing down judgment last Thursday, said it was clear from reading the league’s constitution that the regional executive committee (REC) was a very important structure.

“In the absence of the REC, the powers and duties are performed by the RTT,” he said.

Maneli and Silo were ordered to pay the costs of the application.

Silo told the Dispatch they were appealing the ruling.