THE South African Communist Party (SACP) says the ANC has to get its house in order if it wants the SACP’s support in the upcoming local government elections.
This was the sentiment expressed by provincial SACP members who converged at the University of Zululand last week to pay tribute to their fallen hero, Joe Slovo.
Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) member Vusi ‘Cuba’ Mahaye said the sour relations between the Communist Party and the ANC was disturbing and unhealthy for the alliance.
‘We have decided to withdraw our participation in all election structures in this province until the national leadership intervenes.
‘That’s the decision we have taken as the province after realising that some branches are run by warlords. Our alliance must be with the people. If the ANC sinks, we will go down with them.
Mahaye accused the ANC of treating the SACP like stepchildren.
‘Any revolution that does not take care of its children, is a failed revolution.
‘From where we are sitting it is clear that the power is no longer with the masses, but with few individuals. There is an element of erosion of democracy in the alliance, and as the SACP we must defend that democracy,’ Mahaye said.
He also took a swipe at the #FEES MUST FALL campaign, saying it was hijacked by populists.
‘Our view is that the sons and daughters of the rich must pay, and the poor must not. This struggle was not fought in a calculated way.’
He said the best way to pay tribute to Joe Slovo was for students to learn.
SACP District Secretary David Chonco said, ‘We shall refuse to give oxygen to opposition. Ours is to champion the interest of the poor.’
