SACP Secretary sworn in as Mpumalanga MP
SACP provincial secretary Bonakele Majuba, who has in the past been critical of premier David Mabuza, was sworn in as a member of the Mpumalanga Legislature last week Friday
MBOMBELA – Peace was restored after a bitter war, when the South African Communist Party’s (SACP) provincial secretary, Bonakele Majuba, was sworn in as a member of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature (MPL) last friday.
Majuba’s dispute with the ANC provincial chairman and premier, David Mabuza, ended when a mutual agreement was reached during last year’s alliance summit. “This gives me the opportunity to serve the working class and the poor, and make a difference,” Majuba told Lowvelder.
This inclusion follows the resignation of ANC MPL, Thulare Madileng, who has been redeployed by the ANC to a municipal position.
In the past Majuba had called for Mabuza to step down following, what he called, rampant corruption in government perpetrated by tenderpreneurship. Tension between the SACP and ANC lead to violent clashes in KaNyamazane two years ago.
“We have had our differences, but we have managed to work them out,” Majuba said. “There will always be differences, but if managed properly we can better serve the people.
“Last year’s summit has helped, to a certain degree, in dealing with our issues.”
Speaker, Thandi Shongwe, welcomed his return to the legislature, saying his experience will be of a great advantage to help serve the people. The DA’s provincial leader James Masango also welcomed the appointment.
He stated that it would only be problematic if Majuba was put in the position to be silenced. “Mabuza is simply ensuring that he is brokering peace between the two parties,” Masango said.
The EFF’s Collen Sedibe said Majuba’s appointment is simply to consolidate Mabuza’s power base leading up to the ANC election in December. Sedibe’s party also welcomed his appointment. “Now everyone will want their share after this appointment, this will give DD a headache.”
Mabuza has, of late, been vocal about bringing unity in the province, and has spoken up against factionalism.
“What we have done in Polokwane and Mangaung can’t be repeated,” he said while addressing the ANC two weeks ago. Mabuza said factionalism causes unnecessary damage.
“We could have tried to unify the movement rather than entrench factionalism,” he said. “Let us get out of this thing and liberate ourselves and go back to basics.”
