The ANC Youth League has warned that anyone who tries to remove their leaders will face a serious challenge.

These strong words came from Vhembe ANC Youth League regional chairperson Rolivhuwa Nelwamondo, in his address during the memorial lecture of former President Thabo Mbeki held at Muratho Primary in Tshiulungoma village on Sunday.

"Anyone who undermines the leadership of Cassel Mathale or Tshitereke Matibe and Tshifhiwa Dali will face a serious challenge from us, the Youth League." He described the leaders as friends of the Youth League. “We put them there. No one will remove them.”

He added that everyone who wanted to remove them “will have to deal with us first.” Referring to the expelled former president of the youth league, Mr Julius Malema, Nelwamondo said many of the members of the youth league “are still pushing his ideology."

Nelwamondo, who described Mbeki as one of the best leaders produced by the ANC, accused Pres Jacob Zuma of limiting the ruling party to Kwazulu Natal. He said ANC members had a duty to reclaim the party "which is growing its membership because of IFP members."

Nelwamondo said branches must nominate Mr Kgalema Motlanthe to make sure that change was real.  Nelwamondo added that the "land must come back to the majority of South Africans and mines must benefit the community, not individuals."

He also lashed out at councillors who forgot the people who voted them into office “and start driving flashy cars, while the community is suffering. If you are a leader and fail to help people, we will make sure that you also suffer with them,” he added.