ANC Youth League (ANCYL) Western Cape condemns continuous attempts to divide the ANC
17 February 2017
The African National Congress Youth League in the Western Cape (ANCYL WC), during its most recent Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) meeting held on Saturday 13 February 2016, discussed at length the state of the ANC in the Western Cape following the intervention of the ANC National Working Committee (NWC).
With the ANC Provincial Chairperson asked to step aside until all investigations and processes pertaining to the sexual harassment allegations against him are concluded and the Provincial Secretary suspended and placed before a disciplinary process for his alleged assault on a staff member, the ANCYL remains concerned about the state of the organisation but we welcome the intervention by the NWC and consider this the most appropriate action and a helpful means to address the divisions that continue to beset the ANC.
The PEC of the ANCYL is however extremely concerned about the campaign, sometimes with racist, sexist, and divisive undertones, by a group of people who purport to act in defence of or on behalf of the Provincial Chairperson, Comrade Marius Fransman.
Organised as "Friends of Marius Fransman", this group already held two prayer services, created a Facebook page and are also planning a march to the provincial offices of the ANC to express their support for the Provincial Chairperson and to raise their concerns with the ANC through it.
When reading the Facebook posts of Comrade Fransman, it becomes clear that the sentiments expressed by some of his supporters are now also supported by him and that he refuses to adhere to the discipline of the ANC and openly questions the decisions of the National Working Committee (NWC).
The ANCYL is convinced that such ill-discipline would only divide the ANC in the province, seeks to undermine its integrity and unity, is aimed at polarizing our movement racially and will impact negatively on any elections work.
We therefore call on our Provincial Chairperson to, in a credible way, distance himself from this campaign, to disassociate himself with any of the organisers of this campaign, to stop supporting or attending any of their events and to rather work towards the strengthening of the ANC as it is required of him as well as using the official and relevant structures to air his grievances or unhappiness with processes.
During the PEC meeting of the ANCYL it was agreed that all members and leaders of the ANCYL should be actively involved in rallying young people around the banner of the ANC towards victory in the upcoming Local Government Elections. Such activism and involvement is the only way to ensure that we strengthen our branches, regions and province.
We continue to call on all our members to abstain from any involvement in any attempt or campaign to divide, weaken or undermine the ANC and we will not hesitate to act against any member who defines him- or herself outside the discipline of the ANC or ANCYL.
Issued by ANC Youth League Western Cape Provincial Executive Committee (PEC)
Statement issued by Siyabulela Tom, ANCYL Western Cape Head of Communications, 17 February 2017
