The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) Mangaung has elected Mthuthuzeli Bidi as its new chairperson.
Bidi was elected at a highly charged regional congress held from May 29-30 in Bloemfontein.
The meeting was dogged by several delays which saw some of the delegates fighting over the registration process.
“Such proportions of violence in the league, particularly in the region, are unprecedented and foreign to the political terrain of the region,” said the ANCYL Mangaung when it announced the results.
“It is in fact this reality that confers on us the belief that this violence was not an inherent expression of the branches of the ANCYL, but was sponsored by protagonists who are threatened by the prospects of an autonomous ANCYL in the region.
“We condemn, in the strongest terms possible, the violence that infiltrated the congress.
“However, if we are to decisively root out this emergent and foreign tendency, we must not, when we condemn it, pretend it was a natural act of God and omit to give it a face and a genesis.
“We therefore uncategorically denounce the treacherous hand of leaders of the ANC, but more so we are irreconcilably dismayed at the young people who lent themselves as hands in the orchestration of such violence.”
The other members of the ANCYL Mangaung that was voted into office are deputy chairperson Khumbulekile Mananzi, secretary Moeketsi Bohloko, deputy secretary Nteboheng Mokhethi and treasurer Itumeleng Ditlhage.
The additional members include Lindiwe Matamane, Katleho Modupi, Nthabeleng Lesitsi, Mpho Rasenyalo, Gaongalwe Finger, Lungile Katse, Nnini Pesa, Sesethu Plati, Chaka Ramonne, Fumane Aau, Ziyanda Boss and Neo Khoarane. – Staff Reporter