African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Fikile Mbalula on Wednesday extended the party’s congratulations to the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) for a successful, long-awaited twenty-sixth national congress, calling it an important political milestone. 

Mbalula was addressing the media where he outlined the outcomes of the ANC’s National Working Committee (NWC) which took place on Monday, and where he said the youth league would now be able to position itself as a “true champion of youth development”. 

"The ANC will continue to defend the autonomy of the Youth League because it is only in that way that the Youth League leadership, at all levels, can truly champion youth interests and be relevant to the youth of our country. There the ANC urged the ANC Youth League to live up to its mission of championing the youth's interests whilst rallying behind the vision of the ANC," said Mbalula. 

However, the ANC NWC warned the Youth League against being in limbo without a duly elected national executive committee, as it was for eight years. 

Mbalula also said the ANC NWC welcomed the successful sitting of the recent Western Cape provincial conference which he said would help in coordinating the ANC's political organisational programmes in the province.  

Mbalula added that political education would be conducted to help the new leadership align itself with ANC tasks. 

SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF ENERGY SHORTFALLS 

Mbalula said energy generation had improved and the “massive propaganda and lies” of a grid collapse did not materialise. 

The ANC NWC also said the stability in the national grid affirmed the appropriateness of maintenance as part of efforts to restore the reliability and stability of the energy fleet. 

"Eskom must be supported by all of us in terms of their endeavour to keep the utility free from all challenges of State capture and corruption and ensure that they do what becomes the plans of the government while alleviating a lot of difficulties in the economy," said Mbalula. 

PUBLIC PROTECTOR REPORT

The ANC NWC welcomed the Public Protector report which found nothing untoward in the Phala Phala saga regarding President Cyril Ramaphosa, including the fact that there was no evidence that he was paid outside his duties as the President of the country. 

The ANC reiterated its alarm at the attacks on the integrity of the Office of the Public Protector, saying such attacks undermined the Constitution. 

COST OF LIVING

The NWC noted higher levels of inflation which had led to higher costs of living. 

"Whilst the NWC noted the continued social grants policy enabled indigents to receive R350 per month, the NWC further upheld and appreciated that the masses of the people first and foremost want jobs as a basis for sustainable livelihoods,” Mbalula said.

Further, the NWC noted the importance of the Reserve Bank working with National Treasury to effect measures that would mitigate against high inflation, such as expanding the consumer basket goods earmarked for value addded tax zero rating.

The NWC also suggested that government look into Department of Public Works and Infrastructure projects such as pothole repairs, road and brick construction, as well as increasing sewage capacity to improve health conditions.

SAPS VIP PROTECTION INCIDENT

Addressing the road rage incident involving the Deputy President’s security detail, which recently made headlines, Mbalula said the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, under the guidance of Police Minister Bheki Cele, must leave no stone unturned.

Mbalula said it would be easy to get to the bottom of the issue as the area of the Johannesburg highway where the incident took place is covered by surveillance cameras.

Mbalula said consequence management should follow.