ANCYL slams AfriForum over Mbalula’s prosecution

The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) has strongly criticized AfriForum's decision to have their secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, prosecuted. The ANCYL's decision comes after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) announced they would proceed with the prosecution. Mbalula faced charges of crimen injuria for falsely accusing a man of child rape in April of the previous year. AfriForum's Private Prosecutions Unit initiated the matter.

ANCYL's Tsakani Shiviti stated that the move to prosecute Mbalula is highly regrettable. "The ANCYL stands firmly with Cde Mbalula, who has done nothing wrong. He demanded the arrest and prosecution of all those involved and swift, thorough action by the police," Shiviti emphasized. Shiviti further added that Mbalula criticized organizations that shield suspects instead of standing up for justice, calling for an end to impunity. He ended his statement with the widely shared sentiment of South Africans: "Enough is enough."

Based on the ANC's official stance, Shiviti noted that Mbalula's prosecution is politically motivated and should be reversed. She accused AfriForum of speaking for a South Africa where Black leaders are expected to remain silent, a stance that the ANCYL will never endorse. Shiviti urged the National Prosecuting Authority to review its decision and ensure that accused persons are informed of prosecutorial decisions before third parties make such announcements.

She also described Mbalula's prosecution as an attempt to silence him from speaking about pressing issues affecting the country. The ANCYL called on its sister organizations, including COSATU, the ANC Women's League, SANCO, religious and community groups, and young people in South Africa, to support Mbalula in defending their right to speak out against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

The ANCYL resolved that members found guilty of GBVF will be barred from their ranks. Shiviti reiterated that the ANCYL will continue to march, mobilize, and organize until this scourge is eradicated.