ANC Youth League president Collen Malatji has warned that South Africa is being “hijacked” by illegal foreigners while the country’s systems collapse, and called on young party members to stop being used as “child soldiers” by older leaders in factional battles.
Speaking at the closing of the youth league’s conference in the Eastern Cape over the weekend, Malatji said foreign nationals have taken over buildings in towns while borders remain open and the health system collapses.
“We are surrendering it to foreigners without fighting,” he said. “We must tell the minister of home affairs, the minister of police and the minister of defence that this country is not a country for illegal foreigners. It is a country for South Africans.”
Malatji claimed there are areas where South Africans cannot walk freely, citing Kempton Park as an example of an area “taken over by illegal foreigners.” He said the budget given to the Border Management Authority is smaller than that of a small municipality in the Eastern Cape.
He acknowledged that foreign nationals are treated with hospitality but alleged this hospitality is sometimes abused.
Call for Renewal Within ANC
Malatji also used the platform to address internal party divisions, urging young members to lead the ANC’s renewal programme rather than allow themselves to be used in factional battles.
“Stop singing about pensioners and take responsibility for your own future, because they are going to die and leave you in the mess you are in today,” he said.
He warned that many older leaders have died and left the party with only 40 percent support and a reputation associated with corrupt behaviour. He said people cannot walk in the street wearing an ANC T-shirt because the party is no longer seen as a parliament of the people.
Malatji said the youth league must refuse bribes at ANC conferences where leadership is chosen. He accused some party members of wanting to use the youth league as “child soldiers to further divide and factionalise the ANC” when they seek re-election as councillors, mayors, or provincial executive members.
“This conference must reject that. The youth here must say enough is enough,” he said.
The statements come as the country prepares for local government elections in November.
