The Eastern Cape ANC Youth League’s (ANCYL) bid to proceed with its provincial conference was called off minutes before registration was due to begin on Friday.
The Eastern Cape ANC Youth League’s (ANCYL) bid to proceed with its provincial conference was called off minutes before registration was due to begin on Friday.
The ANCYL wanted to go ahead with the meeting in Joza, without the disbanded members of the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC). Judge Nomatamsanqa Beshe had previously handed down a judgement that prohibited any ANCYL provincial conference without the inclusion of the PEC.
This judgement was upheld by High Court Judge Belinda Hartle after PEC chairperson Mlibo Qoboshiyane applied to have the conference stopped after hearing it would take place in Grahamstown.
At registration, there were no ANCYL delegates from other regions, which was an indication the conference might be called off. However, there were a handful of ANCYL members from the Makana and Cacadu regions who were adamant that the conference would be held.
The evening before, counsel for the ANCYL, Advocate Richard Quinn argued that the dissolution of the PEC was necessary to secure ANCYL president, Julius Malema’s re-election and allowing this conference to proceed would be a “stepping stone” for his re-election.
The absence of crowds at the hall did not dampen the enthusiasm of the members as they sang struggle songs as well as songs singing the praises of Malema and Provincial Secretary, Ayanda Matiti.
After a couple of hours went by with no delegates in sight, ANCYL Cacadu Regional Chairperson, Mthuthuzeli Matyumza arrived to announce that the conference had been called off.
“We will not be proceeding, as we don’t want to defy the court,” he said.
