VRYBURG, North West — The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) in the North West has formally accused the party’s interim regional leadership of orchestrating widespread irregularities in the councillor candidate selection process within the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.
Addressing the media in Vryburg, ANCYL leadership detailed a complete breakdown in relations with the regional task team. The youth wing alleges that the interim leadership is deliberately rushing the nomination procedures while actively flouting the ANC’s Constitution and established internal guidelines.
Far from being an isolated incident, the Youth League emphasized that this administrative dysfunction spans the entire district. All 16 branches across four local municipalities in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region have reportedly been impacted by disruptive rulings, directives, or interventions originating from processes before the Provincial Dispute Resolution Committee (PDRC) and the Provincial Leadership Committee (PLC).
A major point of contention highlighted by the ANCYL is a recurring pattern where dispute resolutions are deliberately delayed, remaining outstanding until the final stages of the candidate selection program. The Youth League described the regional ANC structure as being paralyzed by deep dysfunction, leaving the area without proper organizational order and severely hamstringing the party team’s ability to function.
In a stark ultimatum, the regional youth leadership warned that if the party continues to marginalize young members, the ANCYL will refuse to campaign for the ANC in upcoming elections. They have threatened to withdraw all youth volunteers across every voting district in the region and are urgently calling for immediate intervention from both provincial and national party structures to restore order.
Responding to the mounting pressure, ANC provincial secretary Louis Diremelo stated that initial feedback from the regional structure indicated no wrongdoing. According to Diremelo, the matter was referred back to the region, where local leaders denied the allegations and insisted their actions have remained above board.
However, Diremelo acknowledged that the provincial office has indeed received multiple disputes referred to the PDRC. He stressed the party’s commitment to a transparent and credible candidate selection process, noting that a formal investigation will be launched once the Youth League submits a comprehensive report and supporting evidence.
“We are intending to have a clean and a credible process in terms of selections of candidates,” Diremelo affirmed, adding that the provincial leadership is prepared to investigate the issues thoroughly if proper documentation is provided.
