The DA Students Organisation (Daso) has questioned what favours the ANC Youth leader, Collen Maine, did for the Gupta family in exchange for the R5 million bond they facilitated for his Pretoria house.
The City Press on Sunday reported that the Gupta family had been instrumental in securing the youth leader’s R5m bond through the Bank of India, a merchant bank known to have strong ties with the family.
They reported that Maine and his wife, Kelebogile, had agreed to repay close to R140 000 a month over a five-year period, instead of the usual 20 years, but questions have been raised about how the couple could afford the repayments.
Daso leader, Yussif Cassim, said this was further evidence the youth league was another ruling party structure that has been captured by the Gupta family and President Jacob Zuma.
“He (Maine) must come out and tell the nation what the Gupta’s got in return for this help. Maine has previously said that an attack on the Guptas is an attack on the ANC. It is increasingly clear why. Not even those with the governing party can discern between an ANC member and a Gupta,” said Cassim.
The Daso leader said it was clear Maine was “out of touch with the plight of the youth” after reports he had threatened violence against those who criticise the ANC and Zuma.
“Additionally referring to the student movement as 'treasonous' in the past highlights his disdain for our constitutional democracy. Both these reckless utterances demonstrate he is out of touch with the plight of the youth and South Africans alike.
“Mr Maine and the ANC Youth League represent clearly just how much the ANC has changed. This is not the party of Nelson Mandela. It is now a party that puts Zuma’s friends first and the people last.”
The Youth League spokesman, Mlondi Mkhize, could not be reached for comment.
Daily News
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