ANCYL condemns attack on DA leader

The ANC Youth League in the Western Cape on Wednesday condemned the attack on the home of a Democratic Alliance Youth leader.

League spokesman Muhammad Khalid Sayed described Saturday's attack on Luzuko Mngqibisa's house as "cowardly and thuggish".

"These violent acts of intimidation are devastating to the psyche of young people in the Western Cape, particularly those residing in poor communities still affected by apartheid," Sayed said in a statement.

He extended the league's sympathy to Mngqibisa and his family.

"In order to contribute to a better Western Cape, our youth need to be politically active in an environment that is free from intimidation."

Sayed dismissed allegations that the attack was part of the ANCYL's plan to render the province ungovernable.

"There is no such campaign led by [us]. The DA's statement has the potential of fuelling unnecessary rumours and acts of intimidation."

The Sunday Independent reported the youth activist lost all his clothing when his home in Tambo Square was set alight in an alleged politically-motivated attack. The arsonists reportedly left a note calling Mngqibisa a "dog of [DA leader] Helen Zille".

He told the newspaper he woke to the smell of smoke early on Saturday.

"The first thing I saw was that my clothes, kept in bags near a window, were on fire. I tried to grab what I could, but the flames burnt my fingertips," he said.

According to the newspaper, Mngqibisa ran next door to check on his parents. Once he had confirmed they were safe he called his neighbours for help. They quickly extinguished the fire.

He said a broken bottle and a piece of fabric doused in petrol were later found inside the shack. A pair of black gloves, smelling of petrol, and a handwritten note were found outside.

Police confirmed to the paper that a case of arson had been opened, which the ANCYL welcomed.