ANCYL president brands MK Party as criminals, rubbishes any GNU expansion

ANC Youth League president Collen Malatji has labelled Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe Party a group of “criminals” and that it must never be allowed in the Government of National Unity (GNU), should it be expanded.

Malatji spoke to IOL News on Wednesday during the ANC’s National General Council (NGC) meeting at the Birchwood Hotel in Ekurhuleni, where the organisation is reviewing its performance.

He said the youth league was prioritising the escalating youth unemployment crisis.

“One is that we have advocated that unemployment must be declared a disaster. That is number one. Many young people are unemployed and struggling to make ends meet, and that is why we called for that.”

South Africa’s official unemployment rate fell to 31.9% in the third quarter (Q3) of 2025, down from 33.2% in the previous quarter. 

Despite this, youth unemployment remains alarmingly high at 58.5%.

Malatji said the youth league was also focused on addressing gender-based violence (gbv) against women and children, calling for a restructuring of the economy to reflect the country’s democratic makeup.

“What do we mean? We mean that the majority control of the economy must be in the hands of Black people, who are the majority. That is why poverty, crime, gender-based violence and teenage pregnancy remain central issues.”

Malatji also commented on the South African Communist Party’s (SACP) decision to contest the 2036 local government elections independently. 

SACP general secretary Solly Mapaila has for many times criticised the GNU, saying the inclusion of the Democratic Alliance (DA) does not advance the interests of Black people and workers. 

The SACP has said it will run independently but will remain in the tripartite alliance with the ANC and Cosatu.

“Well, the first thing is that the NGC says if you are contesting us, you cannot be with us. You cannot sit and strategise with us,” Malatji said. 

“The issue of dual membership is no longer going to work. We treat the SACP the same way we treat the DA and the EFF. They are contesting us against the programme of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR).”

However, ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe denied that the ANC had banned dual membership.

“No, the NEC has not taken that decision,” he said.

“There is dual membership. Every individual will make a decision.”

Mantashe, who was previously removed from the SACP Central Committee for missing meetings without apology, remains a member of both organisations. 

He said he will vote for the ANC in the upcoming elections.

Meanwhile, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula told the media on Wednesday afternoon that the ANC has no intention of expanding the GNU.

“We have had no challenges in the GNU. We managed to pass the midterm budget. How can you say this does not show stability?” he said. 

“There is no need to tamper with something that does not need tampering.”

Malatji said if the party ever decided to expand the GNU, it must exclude the MK Party.

“The only party I would not want to be part of the GNU is MK. As long as we present our renewal project, MK is a party of criminals. We cannot even govern with them.”

“The latest scandal of them sending people to Russia to use them as shields - those are people you cannot associate with,” Malatji said. 

His comments come after MK Party member Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, was linked to allegations of luring South African men into the Russia–Ukraine conflict through what they believed was bodyguard training associated with MK. 

She allegedly facilitated the sending of 17 South Africans to Russia, where they were later deployed to the war. She has denied all allegations.

Zuma-Sambudla is also currently on trial in the Durban High Court over the 2021 July unrest, facing charges including terrorism and incitement to violence. 

She resigned “voluntarily” as an MK Party MP following public scrutiny.

Malatji added, “Anyone who agrees on protection of the Constitution and clean governance, including the EFF, we can work with.”

“But the MK Party is formed by people we removed from the ANC for criminal activities. We cannot bring them back into government.”

The MK Party has for many times said that it does not want to be involved in the GNU.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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