The ANC Youth League Provincial Congress continued as planned on Saturday after four regional coordinators in the Western Cape were withdrawn.
Image: Independent Newspapers Archives
Four regional coordinators of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) in the Western Cape say they have been effectively removed after raising concerns over what they describe as an "unconstitutional" provincial congress, which proceeded on Saturday despite their objections and warnings of a legitimacy crisis.
In a strongly worded joint statement, the coordinators from the Dullah Omar, Southern Cape, West Coast, and Boland regions said they could not support a process they believe undermines internal democracy and constitutional requirements.
"We will not be party to the installation of individuals through patronage at the expense of ANCYL members' democratic rights," they said, adding that they had "exhausted every internal channel available" before taking their concerns public.
They stated that repeated attempts to engage with leadership, including writing to ANCYL Secretary-General Tsakani Shiviti, were ignored.
"At every turn, we have been ignored, sidelined, and treated with contempt."
At the centre of the dispute was the ANCYL Western Cape Provincial Congress, which the coordinators alleged was being pushed through in violation of the constitution, including concerns over quorum thresholds and branch verification.
"The constitution requires a two-thirds quorum… but the threshold has been further slashed to a shocking 42%," they said. "This is not a congress. It is a coronation."
They also alleged the existence of "ghost branches" in regions such as Boland and the West Coast, and said no Branch General Meetings (BGMs) had been held, effectively excluding members from mandating delegates.
"A congress without BGMs is a congress without the people," they said.
The coordinators further questioned the urgency of the process, alleging it was being driven to install preferred leadership.
“This congress is not convened to serve the members of the ANCYL. It is being engineered to install preferred individuals into provincial leadership positions through a manufactured process.”
They warned that any outcomes would lack legitimacy.
"A congress that proceeds at a 42% threshold, without BGMs, with inflated branch numbers, and without the involvement of regional structures is not a congress, it is an organisational coup."
Despite the objections, the provincial congress went ahead as scheduled on Saturday, with Shiviti maintaining that the process would proceed regardless of the dissent and internal backlash.
In response, Shiviti confirmed that the four coordinators had been removed from their positions for misconduct linked to their opposition to the congress.
"They have been withdrawn for ill discipline and mobilising for the collapse of a provincial congress when they have failed their mandate to seat regional congresses in due time," Shiviti said.
She added that their removal meant they no longer held organisational authority.
"They have been withdrawn from their duties, meaning they cease being coordinators of regions and the responsibility that comes with it."
Shiviti also reiterated that the elective conference would continue unaffected.
"The provincial congress will proceed as planned."
Earlier, in a formal letter dated April 10, 2026, Shiviti informed Boland Acting Regional Coordinator, Sihle Kona, of her immediate withdrawal, citing internal rules allowing removal without a disciplinary process if members are deemed to be disrupting the rebuilding process.
The affected coordinators have maintained a united stance, saying the decision came as a shock and amounted to punishment for raising legitimate concerns.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Kona said: "I feel disappointed because we were expecting the Secretary-General’s Office to respond and address our disputes."
She added that while they anticipated consequences, the extent of the action was surprising.
"We were not aware that we would face consequences as we understand the ANCYL as a democratic organisation, where one has a constitutional right to raise their views… but not to this extreme of purging everyone who seems to be questioning the legitimacy of the congress."
Despite their removal, the group insists its view remains unchanged.
"Our views have not changed as we believe that genuine members of the ANCYL deserve to be part and parcel of the elective congress to elect their leaders and drive policies of the organisation as stated in the constitution," Kona said.
They have also indicated they will escalate the matter further. "Our next step is to explore all avenues in addressing the matter."
lilita.gcwabe@inl.co.za