A GROUP of disgruntled ANC Youth League national executive committee members have expressed their dissatisfaction over events that unfolded at the weekend and have asked the ruling party to intervene.

Sowetan understands that at least 17 NEC members will submit letters to the organisation's secretary-general Gwede Mantashe, today asking him to look into the circumstances that led to a vote of no-confidence being passed against ANCYL treasurer-general Pule Mabe.

Mabe was removed from his post as treasurer as well as NEC member after the vote.

During yesterday's media briefing, at which the outcomes of the weekend's NEC meeting were outlined, the league revealed that Mabe was fired from his position because members had lost confidence in him.

However, the latest developments could give rise to speculation that the league is now even more divided.

Some ANCYL insiders are speculating that Mabe's expulsion was an attempt to sideline him in the race to replace Malema as the league's next president.

It is also understood that the 17 members had resolved to resign from the NEC but that their resignations were rejected.

Meanwhile, the Youth League has for the first time openly accused the ruling party of using internal disciplinary processes to fight political battles against its leaders.

While this view has until now been the preserve of supporters of expelled president Julius Malema and suspended ANCYL secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa, the league's NEC's yesterday openly criticised the ANC for resorting to using internal party processes to silence its leaders.

Delivering the NEC's statement after a heated meeting, league deputy secretary-general Kenetswe Mosenogi said: "We have no doubt that our cause is fair and we call on all structures of the ANC to work side by side with the Youth League to challenge what is a gravely unfortunate action of using discipline to deal with differences of opinion on a political matter and a blatant attempt to suppress and silence the views of young people."

The ANCYL NEC statement further expressed support for Malema, Magaqa and suspended spokesman Floyd Shivambu.

The statement continued: "The NEC unequivocally resolved to disagree with the ruling of the national disciplinary committee of appeals (NDCA).

The observations made by the NDCA undermine the autonomy of the youth league."

The league also called for the ANC NEC to intervene and ensure the "immediate reinstatement of our leaders".

The statement also questioned the reasons for Magaqa's suspension because he had apologised to Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba as was ordered by the national disciplinary committee last year.

ANC spokesman Keith Khoza yesterday dismissed the youth league's accusation as well as its defiance and support of Malema and Magaqa, arguing that the matter has already been settled.

"The NDC has already pronounced and anything said outside of that pronouncement, we will not comment on," Khoza said.

"Remember that the NDC and NDCA are empowered by the constitution of the ANC and if the youth league wants to defy the constitution, we will not comment either."

ANCYL deputy president Ronald Lamola yesterday moved to dispel suggestions that the league was defining itself outside of the ANC.

He said the league, including Malema, Magaqa and the suspended Shivambu had submitted themselves to ANC processes during their disciplinary hearings.

Meanwhile, three additional youth league members - Khusela Sangoni, Abner Mosase and Nompumelelo Hlophe - have been roped into the national working committee. - molatlhwao@sowetan.co.za