The Young Communist League of South Africa is concerned about the violent and rowdy behaviour of ANC members leading to congresses

24 April 2012

The Young Communist League of South Africa [uFasimba] in the Free State wishes to make it known that it is highly concerned and perturbed by the violent and rowdy conduct of some of the ANC members in the province leading up to the regional and provincial congresses.

We wish to take this opportunity to remind members of the ANC in the province to uphold the values and principles of the ANC and to at all time display a high sense of discipline. The ongoing factional tendencies that are being displayed by very senior cadres of the ANC in the province are worrisome and are a potential threat to the mission and vision of the African National Congress.

This "Regime Change" factional grouping has attempted to use all forms mechanisms to undermine, discredit and totally disregard the current leadership of the ANC in the province under the stewardship and command of Chairperson Ace Magashule.

It has for example, used people who do not hold ANC membership to participate in its factional mass meetings such as that which took place in Welkom to nominate Mxolisi Dukwana over Gregg Nthatisi as a contender for chairmanship of the ANC in the next provincial congress. The YCLSA has characterised such people as "rented mobs" used by power-hungry leaders to fulfil their mischievous mandate.

The YCLSA is also appalled by the use of unlicensed fire arms by some members of the "Regime Change" grouping during meetings of the ANC.

We call upon all members of the ANC to follow proper and democratic channels during the nomination process and shy away from resorting to disgusting and improper conduct which brings the ANC into disrepute.

The recent stance by COSATU Free State to instruct all its members (including Cde Sam Mashini) to avail themselves should they be nominated to leadership positions at the upcoming ANC provincial congress is long overdue and welcomed by the YCLSA.

We are still adamant that Comrade Ace Magashule must be given another term as chairperson of the ANC with Comrade Sam Mashini (current COSATU secretary in FS) as secretary. All members of the YCLSA are expected to fight for this ideal in their capacity as ANC members.

We would also like to see the inclusion of more communists and workers in the Provincial Executive Committee that will be elected at the upcoming ANC congress.

Issued by the YCLSA Free State

For more information contact:

Fezile Sonkwane
YCLSA Provincial Spokesperson
Cell: 079 991 4618

Life Mokone
YCLSA Provincial Secretary
Cell: 082 529 3224