ANCYL Limpopo Rejects Negative Media Reports about its Secretary
On Sunday, 06 November 2011, we noted with curious interest a repeat of prior mud-slinging media reports stating that the Secretary of the Youth League in Limpopo, Cde. Jacob Lebogo was detained by the Hawks two months ago and that money was raided from his home (see Sunday Independent report here).
These lies were published despite an earlier media statement released by the Chairperson of ANC Youth League in Limpopo on 29 September 2011 entitled: "The Provincial Secretary of the ANCYL was Never Arrested/Raided", where-in the Youth League clearly rejected the mendacious media articles published during September 2011.
Again, we restate our total rejection of these (and past) defamatory articles and also wish to make known our disappointment at the dishonesty, unethical conduct and evidently injurious intent with-which these media reports have been published.
More than ever, we are now totally convinced that a conspiracy exists and that its aim is to dent the reputation of, not only the Secretary of the Youth League in the Province, but also that of the general good-name of the League in general, as well as the Youth League President who is being linked to these imaginative but potentially harmful media statements.
It is clear that some journalists and their editorial bosses are on a targeted witch-hunt and have no intention of respecting the rights of certain citizens.
We can no longer stand by while the good names of our comrades and young leaders are being dragged through the mud with the aim of discrediting the League's social and political standing.
The Youth League in the province further wishes to affirm its resolute support for the YL secretary. We stand firm behind him and encourage any individual who believes they may have any credible information of any misdemeanours to approach any law enforcement authorities with that information.
We are not distracted by this slanderous crusade by some desperate forces w partnered with some in the media who are attempting to influence mind-set of our members through sleazy journalism. The sensationalist and headline-grabbing tactics of some in the media are partly spurred on by declining readership trends. These are just desperate attempts to boost their ailing publications at the expense of our leadership by whipping up delusionary fallacies about the Youth League leadership.
We are not going to entertain these as harmless mischief; we will take whatever action we deem necessary to put an end to these evil repressive tactics.
The revolutionary forces of the ANCYL will not be deterred nor held back by retrogressive right-wing tendencies.
Presently, the primary focus for the Youth League in Limpopo is to continue offering the ANC mother-body its full support and commitment towards ensuring a successful 7th provincial conference, taking place on 17 to 20 December 2011.
As a sign that the Youth League takes it fiduciary duties towards the ANC seriously, Youth League members in their respective branches across the province are actively working (collectively) towards ensuring a successful conference in December.
We know and are not surprised by the tendencies because the conference ahead of us is part of the reason that this kind of mischief is rearing its ugly head. As we draw closer to the conference and people become more and more desperate, we expect more sleazy journalism. Our members are disciplined and loyal cadres who are committed to the organisation; they shall not be deterred by misinformation and misguided propaganda.
Statement issued by Cde. Frans Moswane ANC Youth League Provincial Chairperson, November 9 2011
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