The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) President, Collen Malatji, has called for a robust introspection and cleanup within the party, asserting that the people’s government has been hijacked.

Malatji expressed these sentiments in Welkom on Saturday(27/7) while delivering a message of support and condolences at the funeral service of Disebo Portia Mosupa (30). Mosupa’s body was exhumed by forensic investigators at the Thabong cemetery after being found buried in a used grave on Friday (19/7). She had been reported missing on Monday (15/7) and a search by community members, police, colleagues, and family led to the discovery of her body.

‘Were active and well-known members of the ANC’

Malatji began his speech with a quote by Thomas Sowell: “Everyone may be called ‘comrade’, but some comrades have the power of life and death over other comrades.” He noted the tragic irony that both the deceased and the alleged perpetrator, her boyfriend Ayanda Sinyoko (42), were active and well-known members of the ANC in Welkom.

“When I was briefed that the person who has done this crime is someone we used to call ‘comrade’, I remembered this quote. It reminds me of what everyone has been saying here about the renewal of the ANC. How can we renovate and spring clean the house with the furniture still inside?” 

Disebo Mosupa, employee at Matjhabeng Municipality and Free State ANCYL member. Photo: Facebook

He emphasised the ANC’s renewal programme might necessitate the removal of all current members, likening it to removing furniture from a house before proper cleaning and renovation. Malatji suggested that perhaps the party has reached a point where all members should start afresh and rejoin the party from scratch.

 “We no longer know who is inside the ANC we are part of. The churches have left the ANC, the civil society has left the ANC, everyone is leaving the ANC. The only ones remaining in the ANC are those the ANC does not need. Those needed by the ANC are leaving. 

Must be honest with each other

“The question we must ask ourselves: Are we still the parliament of the people? Are we still the leaders of society? Maybe that answer will require us to be honest with each other because the people’s parliament has been hijacked,” Malatji stated.

 He argued that if ANC members can sit in meetings with individuals suspected of murdering women and children, and interact with them daily, then they are in the wrong organisation. Malatji called for members of the ANC to be seen as saviours and protectors of society rather than criminals and divisive individuals.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg