Allegations of sexual harassment at ANC Youth League conference spark outrage

AN ANC Youth League (ANCYL) branch leader in the Frances Baard district has laid a charge of sexual harassment against a Phokwane ANCYL regional executive committee (REC) member during an incident that allegedly occurred during the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) national conference that was held in Limpopo from December 14-17. 

She stated that the suspect touched her indecently and tried to “climb on top of her” against her will while we were waiting in the bus at Peter Mokaba Stadium when they arrived in Polokwane ahead of the conference.

“We were waiting to be transported to the accommodation site at the University of Limpopo, and the rest of the delegates were sleeping inside the bus. I gave him a hot slap and managed to push him away. I did not know the comrade, and when we did the head count before departing, he was hiding near another car.” 

She indicated that she reported the incident to the ANC regional leadership, who instructed the REC member to apologise. 

“Instead of taking my concerns seriously, they protected the perpetrator, who was permitted to travel in the same bus with me. He accused me of tarnishing his name and tried to make out as if I was crazy. I told him that I did not even know him.” 

She stated that she decided to seek alternative accommodation as she did not feel comfortable being in the same premises as the person who had made unsolicited sexual advances towards her. 

“I tried to open a charge at the police station but was advised to lay the case in Kimberley upon my return.” 

She added that she was issued a lawyer’s letter by the ANCYL leadership because she had laid the complaint. 

“The perpetrator should be disciplined and removed as an REC member.” 

Colonel Cherelle Ehlers confirmed that the Kagisho police were investigating a case of sexual assault involving a 33 year woman between December 14-15.

"No arrests have been made yet. Investigations continue," she said. 

Complainant suffers from victimisation and trauma

Shaine Griqua from the Shaine Griqua Advice and Development Centre (SGADC) condemned the inaction of the ANCYL leadership in failing to protect the complainant. 

“A young lesbian woman from Kimberley was allegedly sexually harassed by a fellow ANCYL member. It is a clear example of political sexual violence, where power, patriarchy, and homophobia intersect to violate the bodies of young women—particularly lesbian women, who are routinely targeted, silenced, and abandoned.

“No political structure has the moral authority to speak about gender justice while harbouring perpetrators and silencing survivors,” he remarked.

He believed that she was subjected to secondary victimisation when she did not receive assistance at the police station in Limpopo. 

“Because of these failures, the survivor remains deeply traumatised, emotionally harmed, and unsafe.” 

Griqua called for urgent intervention as well as a full, independent, and transparent investigation into the incident, as well as sexual harassment and molestation, including possible obstruction and intimidation of the complainant.

“She should be granted access to specialised trauma counselling and psychosocial support for the survivor—funded and guaranteed, not promised.” 

He advocated for public accountability and that the alleged perpetrator should face appropriate consequences. 

ANCYL pledges support for the complainant

ANCYL Frances Baard, regional secretary, Beauty Blennies, committed to offering their full support to the complainant. 

“We are fully aware of the gender based violence (GBV) incident that occurred in Polokwane, involving one of our delegates. 

“The ANCYL Frances Baard Region does not condone GBV in any form. GBV is a brutal violation of human dignity and stands in direct contradiction to the values and principles of our movement.

“We unequivocally condemn the alleged actions and wish that the allegations be investigated without interference or political shielding. Justice must be pursued as no individual, regardless of position or affiliation, is above the law.” 

Blennies added that the ANCYL would continue to educate, mobilise, and discipline our members to uphold the values of non-racialism, equality, and mutual respect.

“The ANCYL must be at the forefront of fighting GBV and building a society that is safe for women and children,” she said.

ANCYL provincial chairperson makes the  ANCYL national top five 

During the national conference, ANCYL Northern Cape chairperson and MEC for the Department of Finance, Economic Affairs and Tourism, Venus Blennies-Magage, was elected as the second  Deputy Secretary-General of the ANCYL. 

Blennies believed the appointment was a clear reflection of the confidence that young people of the movement had in her leadership.

“We are confident that Blennies-Magage will serve the organisation with integrity, courage, and loyalty to the values of the ANCYL and the broader liberation movement,” she added.