DA Youth submits further evidence to the Public Protector in case against NYDA

In light of new revelations with regards to mismanagement and political bias at the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), the DA Youth is today submitting further evidence to the Public Protector in respect of the current case under investigation that we lodged against the NYDA in October 2011 (see City Press report). 

The original complaint laid by the DA Youth was with regards to the blatant political bias displayed by the NYDA in their public support of the ANC Youth League marches in October last year. We asserted at the time that this was not only an unacceptable conflation of party and state, but unlawful and unconstitutional. Besides violating the Public Service Act, it appeared to be in contravention of section 195 (1) (d) of the Constitution, which states that "services must be provided impartially fairly, equitably and without bias."

In light of further evidence of this continuing practice, which in this instance involves the spending of state funds allocated to the NYDA by the Eastern Cape Social Development Department on ANC YL summits, the DA Youth is today submitting this information as further evidence to the Public Protector in respect of our pending case. 

In addition to submitting evidence of the continuing political manipulation of the agency, the DA Youth will also ask the Public Protector to broaden the scope of the investigation to include the alleged nepotism practised by agency CEO, Steven Ngubeni. He is reported to have awarded a R22 million catering contract for the World Festival of Youth and Students to a family member. 

We will request that the Public Protector please speed up the investigation into mismanagement at the agency to prevent the continued waste of vital youth development money on what has essentially become an ANC YL slush fund.

Statement issued by Makashule Gana, DA Youth Leader, March 12 2012

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