Youth League accuses Angie Motshega of dividing ANC in the province

Protesters and members from the ANC Regional Youth League said they will not allow Ms Angie Motshega, ANC NEC member and the Minister of Basic Education, to divide the ANC in Mpumalanga.

They said she visited eMbalenhle to campaign for Mr Cyril Ramaphosa while she knows that nominations are not yet open.

The disgruntled protesters, led by Mr Gracious Shabangu, Regional ANC Youth League executive member, disrupted Ms Adelaide Tambo, memorial lecturer’s, speech.

Ms Motshega was supposed to deliver a keynote address on Friday, 25 August.

A few minutes after Ms Motshega arrived at the eMbalenhle Sasol Club where hundreds of women and men had gathered, things got out of control when Mr Shabangu took to the stage and demanded to speak while Ms Siki Sithole, chairman of the Mpumalanga Sanco Women, was addressing the crowd.

The lights were switched off and violence erupted and some of the people opened fire extinguishers and released fire suppressant powder inside the hall.

The marshals managed to get the protesters out of the hall and went out with them.

Some attendees also left.

However the organisers tried to stabilise the situation and took the remaining people into another hall while ANC members and SAPC members were monitoring the situation outside.

Ms Sithole said Sanco women and organisers were shocked and disgusted over the hooliganism displayed by youth league members who disrupted the event.

“The battle has begun, we are fearless as Sanco women and will fight until we win this battle. We invited Ms Motshega to come and give us direction as we can see that there is a loss of direction in the top leadership. We represent the community and the community is asking us serious questions and this was the opportunity for these questions to be answered.

“We apologise to Ms Motshega.

“We will deal with our children and will discipline them.

“I think you have seen that when the leadership speaks of unity in Mpumalanga, it is just a lie.”

Ms Sithole further said the police did not arrive, because “they are controlled by top politicians in the province”.

Ms Motshega did not deliver her speech however she greeted the attendees and used the opportunity to campaign for Mr Ramaphosa to be the next president of the ANC.

She thanked the attendees for their patience.

“We have the freedom of assembly but today our right was in jeapardy. We are here to fight for our dignity and future, not money like others. “It is sad to see the ANC like this, because it was founded by good people, but in today’s ANC there is too much corruption.

“Worms have entered it to spoil this organisation, including the Guptas. It is for you young people to defend this organisation, this is your inheritance, so own up to it and protect it. Despite the problems we are facing, do not turn your backs on the ANC.

“Take out all those who are dragging the ANC down. Comrades, only Cyril Ramaphosa can take us out of this mess. Elect leaders this December who will secure your future and Mr Ramaphosa can do that.

“I know this boy (referring to Mr DD Mabuza, Mpumulanga Premier) from his college days, we raised him and I am not scared of him. I can say it straight to his face and I am not saying this out of disrespect, but he must do things right. We will campaign for comrade Cyril Ramaphosa in his province.”

Mr Shabangu said Ms Motshega was out of order and that she knew the nominations will only open next month.

“She is supposed to be attending to our problems as the youth, but she is busy pushing her personal agenda.

“We do not want to hear anything about campaigns.

“Angie must stop dividing and destabilising the ANC in the province, we will not allow the unity of Govan Mbeki Municipality to collapse because of her irresponsibility.

“She is an NEC member and should know the right way to do things.”

Mr Shabangu distanced himself and his comrades from the violence and said they were peaceful.

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