SACP says it’s time to rethink its role
There is strong view on the ground from branches of the SACP to consider reopening the debate on whether the party should be contesting state power or not.
MBOMBELA – The SACP in the province said one of the issues on this weekend’s ninth provincial congress’ agenda is whether is it not time for the party to consider contesting state power, instead of supporting the ruling party.
The disappointments in the ruling ANC has led some of the local SACP branches to push for the party to go about it alone.
The party’s provincial secretary, Mr Bonakele Majuba told Lowvelder yesterday that, should the party decide to contest state power, it will contest and challenge any political organisation.
“Contradictions will always be there but the SACP is not an NGO but a political party on its own. We need to rethink our role as a political organisation,” he said.
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Majuba said the party would remain an enemy of those who thrive on rampant corruption by empowering themselves.
“As the SACP we believe that corruption should be eradicated at all costs in order to create employment for South Africans and empower more people.”
Yet he reiterated the SACP’s commitment to the alliance with the ANC. “We will also deliberate on how we can support the ANC, given the organisation’s electoral support decline in the recent elections,” he said.
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Majuba is expected to be re-elected for a fourth term this weekend. The party’s other top leaders are reportedly also expected to stay on as is, with the exception of the chairman position.
Former chairman, Mr Eric Sikhumbuzu Kholwane was fired last year after he had chosen ANC’s provincial chairman Mr David Mubuza’s side in a dispute between the latter and Majuba.
Grapes had been sour for a long time. It was in part triggered by the SACP’s call for Mabuza to step down as a result of what it called “rampant corruption” in government, which it said was perpetrated by tenderpreneurship.
A stand-off between SACP and ANC supporters also ensued at KaNyamazane during a Joe Slovo memorial lecture in January 2015, where ANC stalwart, Dr Mathews Phosa and Majuba were supposed to address the party supporters.
The situation has since been compounded by continuous fall-outs as well as protracted public spats between Phosa and Mabuza. Mabuza and Majuba reunited during the provincial alliance summit in April, where they promised to work together.
