ANCYL Mpumalanga Apologises for Booing Incident

The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) in Mpumalanga has issued a formal and unconditional apology to ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula following a disruptive booing incident during his address at the ANCYL National General Council (NGC) in Kimberley on Friday.

ANCYL chairperson Bethuel Zunguza condemned the conduct in a statement, distancing the provincial leadership from the actions of a small group of delegates.

“This communiqué serves as my unconditional apology to you in your capacity as ANC secretary-general for the unfortunate and reprehensible events on the occasion of the ANCYL NGC at the Seperepere Stadium,” he said.

Zunguza explained that he was not present during the disruption, as he had been attending to delegates who had fallen ill after consuming food. He told IOL: “I was not even inside the venue… I was busy attending to the situation of the delegates who had diarrhoea challenges due to the food that they had consumed.”

The heckling briefly interrupted Mbalula’s address and was reportedly linked to grievances over the outcomes of the Ehlanzeni regional conference. However, Zunguza insisted that the behaviour did not represent the province as a whole.

“We do not condone or encourage these unscrupulous tendencies, which are in contrast with the founding values of our Glorious Movement, the African National Congress. The culprits of this misconduct are just a few individuals — fewer than ten in number,” he said.

According to Zunguza, disciplinary proceedings have been initiated by provincial secretary Thalente Ndebele, with swift action promised. He also reaffirmed the province’s support for Mbalula’s leadership, adding, “Our support for you as ANC secretary-general is unequivocal. We are prepared to have a formal meeting with you to express this humbly profuse apology.”

He further emphasised that the ANCYL remained committed to discipline, stating: “We will not tolerate anarchy and all other forms of ill-discipline.”