DA Youth writes to Public Service Commission over NYDA support for ANCYL march

The state-funded National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has announced its support for the ANCYL's ‘economic freedom' march to take place on tomorrow and Friday.

The DA Youth believes this to be a violation of the Public Service Act and quite possibly the Constitution. We have, accordingly, requested the Public Service Commission to investigate.

Section 36 (c) of the Public Service Act stipulates that state employees may "not draw up or publish any writing or deliver a public speech to promote or prejudice the interests of any political party."

Despite this, NYDA Spokesperson Siyabonga Magadla - an employee of the state - issued a press statement yesterday which said:

"The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) is supporting the Youth March as organised for 27 and 28 October 2011 by the African National Congress Youth League."

Magadla went as far as to "invite young people who are either unemployed, underemployed and in business to participate in the march."

This blurring of the line between party and state is unacceptable. It is the equivalent of Treasury endorsing a DA election rally.

Not only is it unacceptable, but it is unlawful and unconstitutional. Besides violating the Public Service Act, it appears to be in contravention of section 195 (d) of the Constitution which states that "services must be provided impartially, fairly, equitably and without bias."

I have today written to Mr Ben Mthembu, the Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, to request that he investigate this matter without delay.

The NYDA's support for the ANC Youth League's march reveals its true agenda. It is a political operation masquerading as a public entity. It is farcical. 

The youth of South Africa deserve better.

Statement issued by Makashule Gana, DA Youth Leader, October 26 2011

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