Cape Town – The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) issued a stark warning to ANC leaders in Johannesburg on Tuesday, amid internal divisions and fears of Helen Zille becoming mayor.
The league said the city cannot afford her leadership while factional battles rage.
Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, ANCYL president Collen Malatji addressed turmoil in the party’s Johannesburg structures, including vote-rigging allegations after a December elective conference.
His concerns reached beyond internal fights to vulnerabilities ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
Malatji singled out Democratic Alliance (DA) mayoral candidate Helen Zille, a former Cape Town mayor and Western Cape premier, warning that ANC infighting could hand her the metro.
“We cannot afford Johannesburg to be under the leadership of a pensioner called Helen Zille because we are fighting,” he said.
[WATCH LIVE ] ANC Youth League press briefing on the outcomes of the NEC Meeting. https://t.co/HUxql8hItz
— ANCYL (@ANCYLhq) February 3, 2026
Zille’s nomination has fueled debate, with DA leaders touting her experience against ANC rule.
Malatji also flagged governance woes, including a police probe into misplaced ballot papers from the ANC conference.
“What we are calling upon in Johannesburg is political stability. We are under attack,” Malatji said, urging unity and better service delivery.
He tied the instability to threats against young South Africans’ opportunities, repeating: “We must defend the African biggest city called Johannesburg. We can’t afford Johannesburg to be under the leadership of a pensioner called Helen Zille,” while calling for closed ranks.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
