ANC bemoans reports on division

The ANC Youth League on Thursday bemoaned reports of divisions in the organisation.

“On more than one occasion... (there have been) published misleading stories about the ANCYL,” league spokesman Floyd Shivambu said in a statement.

“(They) deliberately referred to the disbanded structure of the ANCYL in KwaZulu-Natal as an official provincial executive committee, lied that the national executive committee suspended the treasurer general (Pule Mabe) and are now spreading lies that there are divisions in the organisation.”

Shivambu said the reports were published with the intention to sow divisions within the league.

“Newspapers should concentrate on reporting real stories, and stop spreading lies which they claim are from faceless sources. We take serious exception,” he said.

According to the Sowetan newspaper on Thursday, most provinces, except Mpumalanga, were preparing for a special congress to elect a new ANCYL leader if its president Julius Malema's appeal to overturn his expulsion from the ANC failed.

The ANCYL in Mpumalanga was reportedly opposed to the move, as it would prejudice Malema's deputy Ronald Lamola from taking over as leader, according to the report.

An “ANCYL insider” told the newspaper the North West and Limpopo were also supporting Lamola, but were concerned about Mabe's presence in the top five of the leadership. – Sapa