“We don’t like the conduct of certain REC members, especially one particular individual who is the regional spokesperson.”
The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) in the Alfred Nzo Region has lifted the suspension of its regional secretary cde Lihle Chalo , following a directive from the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC). The decision was made in line with the ANCYL’S principle of democratic centralism, where upper structure’s decision are binding on lower structures.
According to the Acting Regional Chairperson Xolani Ntonga, the ANCYL has its own set of principles that guide its operations, and one of these principles is democratic centralism. “If the upper structure has given us a directive to toe the line, we must do so, whether we like it or not,” Tonga explained. The suspension of Chalo was initially imposed due to allegations of misconduct, but the regional leadership following all necessary processes. However, the PEC intervened, advising the Alfred Nzo region to uplift the suspension in line with the ANCYL’s principles.
Tonga explained that the decision to lift the suspension was also influenced by the fact that the region is heading into conferences, and suspending a key official could be perceived as having ulterior motives. “Suspending comrade Chalo, we were told we were not wrong organisationally, but we took a decision to suspend him, and after we suspended him, we followed all the processes,” he said.
The ANCYL’s intervention in the matter was also informed by the need for unity within the party as it approaches key conferences. The party is set to hold provincial and national conferences, and the decision to lift the suspension is seen as move to promote unity and stability within the party.
The Acting regional chairperson further explained that despite the suspension of the regional secretary, the ANC Youth League continued with its programs and activities, as suspend him was in line with the organization’s principles. However, the province intervened and instructed the region to uplift the suspension, citing the need for unity within the party as it approaches the local government elections next year.
In the meeting where the suspension was uplifted, the acting chairperson raised concerns about the conduct of certain REC members, particularly the regional spokesperson, who had been communicating information that contradicted the REC’s decisions. “I did raise it myself as the acting chairperson that we don’t like the conduct of certain REC members, especially one particular individual who is the regional spokesperson who goes against the REC’s decision and communicates his own decisions,” the acting chairperson said.
Despite this the ANC Youth League chose not to take any disciplinary action against the spokesperson, opting instead to prioritize unity within the organisation. “Because we are preaching unity, we are not going to take any steps against that, because we want the ANC Youth League to be united especially now that we’re approaching the local government elections next year,” explained Ntonga. He further emphasized that they are not happy about Chalo’s behaviour. With that being said, Ntonga described Chalo as an active leader whom they all know and know his work and effort, although they don’t know what got into him to behave this way.
