Disbanding ANCYL unlikely, say analysts

2011-09-05 14:50

Johannesburg - It is unlikely the African National Congress would disband its youth league, analysts said on Monday.

"I don't see them going that route, it will be dramatic," Adam Habib, of the University of Johannesburg, said.

Weekend reports, quoting an unnamed ANC source, indicated the ANC intended to disband the ANC Youth League and put a committee in its place.

Habib said for the ANC to disband the league, it would probably need to go to a conference, which might divide the organisation.

"It is not a question of dividing the organisation, but of how much."

Dramatic

Habib said the toughest decision one could expect from the ANC disciplinary committee would be to expel ANC Youth League president Julius Malema.

"We don't say disbanding the youth league is not possible, but it will be dramatic for the ANC to reach such a conclusion."

Independent political analyst Joe Mavuso said the ruling party would consider other measures than disbanding the league.

"The ANC needs to be seen as united going into the Mangaung conference next year, and secondly as the ruling party they need to be seen as holding together," he said. The party would elect its new leaders at the conference.

Mavuso said division within the ruling party would be bad for the country.

Toe the line

"The measures need to send a strong message that the youth league must toe the line."

The ANC instituted disciplinary hearings last week after it charged the leaders of its youth wing with various violations of the party's constitution.

Malema and ANCYL spokesperson Floyd Shivambu face charges related to comments on helping bring about regime change in Botswana.

Youth league deputy president Ronald Lamola, secretary general Sindiso Magaqa, his deputy Kenetswe Mosenogi, and treasurer general Pule Mabe have been charged with contravening rule 25.5 (q) and rule 25.5(o) of the Constitution of the ANC.

The latter rule relates to "prejudicing the integrity or repute of the organisation, its personnel or its operational capacity".

The former relates to "deliberately disrupting meetings and interfering with the orderly functioning of the organisation".

ANC national disciplinary committee chairperson Derek Hanekom was not immediately available to comment on whether the hearing would be moved from Luthuli House in the Johannesburg CBD.

The hearing was scheduled to resume on Sunday September 11.

- SAPA