The relationship between the ANCYL and its long-time attorneys appears to be unravelling after the law firm dragged the organisation to court over claims it failed to pay more than R500 000 for legal services rendered.

Ntanga Nkuhlu Incorporated has filed an application in the Gauteng High Court (Johannesburg) seeking payment of R519 100 from the ANCYL, accusing the organisation of repeatedly promising to settle the debt but allegedly failing to honour its undertakings.

The latest legal battle adds to a growing list of financial disputes that have plagued ANC and ANCYL, with both repeatedly facing allegations of unpaid service providers, staff salary disputes and mounting debt.

The ANC itself has acknowledged severe financial strain, including struggles to pay employees, service providers and creditors following declining donor funding and poor electoral performance.

According to TimesLIVE, the dispute stems from legal work allegedly performed for the ANCYL in a civil matter involving the company Petrus Hendrik Jan, trading as Potchefstroom Spar, the EFF and others.

According to a founding affidavit deposed by attorney Mongezi Ntanga on 18 May, the firm was appointed by the youth league in 2023 and rendered legal services until 2025.

The ANCYL has made several promises to pay and failed to do so.

He said the situation strained relations between attorneys and counsel, saying the firm was placed in the uncomfortable position of having to appoint advocates despite allegedly not being paid by its client.

The application seeks payment of the R519 100 allegedly owed, interest and legal costs.

It's unclear whether the ANCYL intends opposing the application.

Full TimesLIVE report