ANC youth league boots out masoga

INSTEAD of bringing unity as expected, the ANC Youth League leadership has expelled former Limpopo chairperson Lehlogonolo Masoga.

INSTEAD of bringing unity as expected, the ANC Youth League leadership has expelled former Limpopo chairperson Lehlogonolo Masoga.

This action is set to heighten tensions in the organisation.

ANCYL spokesperson Floyd Shivambo yesterday confirmed Masoga's expulsion.

"Any appeals will be entertained through appropriate platforms as provided for in the constitution and rules of disciplinary procedures of the ANC Youth League."

Spokesperson for Masoga's supporters, Eric Hlungwani, said members of the ANCYL in Limpopo and in other parts of the country had indicated that they would not recognise the expulsion.

"Masoga is a leader and he is loved by the people and no kangaroo court can remove him from the ANCYL.

"What we know at this stage is that the expulsion is not recognised. We feel that the ANC should be given an opportunity to intervene and seek a political solution."

A member of the ANCYL executive committee said the decision to expel Masoga had caused tensions.

"We knew he would be expelled but the mood is tense and there is mistrust. We are all expected to pretend that we support the decision for fear of victimisation," he said.

Masoga is a former political ally of league president Julius Malema.

Things turned sour last year when Masoga accused Malema of orchestrating his exclusion from Premier Cassel Mathale's cabinet. Mathale is a well-known Malema ally.

Since then Masoga has stood up against Malema, challenging the latter's campaign to have his supporters take over the league's leadership in Limpopo.

The conflict came to a head during the Limpopo provincial conference held at Makhado in April.

The disciplinary hearing at the weekend found Masoga guilty of "creating divisions within the ranks of the ANCYL and engaging in conduct that is calculated to undermine the organisation".

Masoga was also found guilty of provoking serious divisions and "engaging in organised factional activity that goes outside the recognised norms of free debate inside the organisation".

Last week Masoga withdrew his court interdict against the disciplinary proceedings following the ANC's intervention in the matter.

Masoga said he withdrew the charges because he wanted a political solution to the matter.

Masoga refused to comment yesterday, saying he was to study the dismissal letter.

ANC spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi said the party preferred to deal with Masoga's case as an "internal matter".