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ANCYL in Turmoil as Facebook Page Hacked Before Crucial December Congress
A sudden breach shakes the Youth League
The African National Congress Youth League entered a turbulent week after its official Facebook page was hacked on Sunday night. Instead of regular updates, followers saw misleading posts about the upcoming elective congress. The misinformation spread quickly before officials could warn the public that the content was false and not from the organisation.
The timing has raised eyebrows. The Youth League is weeks away from a high-stakes congress in Polokwane, and the unexpected breach has added new anxiety to an already sensitive political moment.
A communications shake-up deepens uncertainty
On the same night the page was compromised, ANCYL spokesperson Zama Khanyase was unexpectedly removed from the organisation’s communications WhatsApp group by secretary general Mntuwoxolo Ngudle. The Citizen reached out to Ngudle for clarity, and his response was still pending at the time of publication.
Khanyase did not comment on her removal from the group. She did, however, confirm that the Youth League is investigating the hack urgently. She noted that the timing, so close to Congress, means no possibility can be ruled out.
She explained that if any internal members are linked to the breach, they will face disciplinary action. Until the account is restored, she cautioned the public to treat all posts from the hacked page as false and unauthorised. The Youth League is working with platform administrators to regain secure access.
Congress season and political tension
The Youth League’s national congress will take place in Polokwane from 14 to 17 December. It is expected to be a decisive gathering for the organisation’s future direction. Some within the movement believe current ANCYL president Collen Malatji is likely to return for another term, though formal nominations will play out through the branch processes already underway.
Khanyase described this gathering as an early elective conference. She said the decision comes from an overwhelming mandate from branches across the country. More than ninety percent of structures supported the move, along with all nine provinces through the National General Council.
This sense of urgency reflects a broader desire for refreshed leadership as the ANC prepares for upcoming local government elections and its own internal renewal efforts. The Youth League sees this congress as a moment to strengthen its voice and organisational discipline.
Branches at the centre of renewal
Preparations for the December meeting are currently being driven by Branch General Meetings. These are set to run until the end of the month. Khanyase said these gatherings ensure that every branch can influence the congress agenda and elect delegates who genuinely reflect the concerns of young South Africans.
She emphasised that the Youth League wants discipline and unity to guide the process. At a time when the organisation is navigating internal strain, the leadership is insisting on a return to organisational integrity as a foundation for renewal.
What the hack reveals about a shifting organisation
The Facebook breach has highlighted the vulnerability of political organisations in the digital age, especially during leadership transitions. It also revealed how deeply the ANCYL’s internal battles are felt online, where public perception can shift overnight.
For many young South Africans observing from outside, the incident is a reminder that the Youth League’s future direction remains contested. The December congress will not only choose leaders. It will signal whether the organisation can modernise its systems, strengthen its internal controls, and rebuild trust after years of political turbulence.
Khanyase said the congress will reaffirm the Youth League’s place as the authentic voice of South Africa’s youth and its commitment to economic freedom in this generation’s lifetime. Whether the organisation can turn this moment of tension into an opportunity for unity will become clearer once delegates gather in Polokwane.
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Source: The Citizen
Featured Image: News24
