South African Communist Party (SACP) Gauteng Province PEC statement

10 September 2012

South African Communist Party Gauteng Province held its Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) meeting on the 08th-9th September 2012 in Johannesburg at the POPCRU Provincial Office. PEC meeting was addressed by 13th National Congress Central Committee member, comrade Madala Masuku.

International Situation

PEC analysed current political developments constituting a totality of the international and domestic class balance of forces and their impact on the National Democratic Revolution (NDR) as our direct route to socialism.

PEC welcomed the analysis of the first 13th National Congress Central Committee meeting held in August 2012 on the challenges facing the NDR and the working class as we continue to celebrate the 91st Anniversary of the SACP.

PEC reaffirmed the fact that the current and ongoing world capitalist crisis especially in the financial markets and banking sector constitute the most decisive factor that defines the current balance of forces in the world.

PEC noted the implications of the world economic decline for the demand of our primary commodities and resources, especially the exports of our mining products mainly to countries in the Euro-zone and China.

NDR and its current contradictions

PEC noted that here in our country, the primary contradictions facing the NDR and the working class are well expressed in the resolutions of our 13th National Congress, discussion documents of the ANC for its 53rd National Conference and those for the Cosatu 11th National Congress.

PEC wished Cosatu a successful and most united Congress to be held next week, and encouraged delegates to ensure that moving forward relations between these two class formations will be significantly improved, and the federation and its affiliates will grow qualitatively and quantitatively.

PEC reaffirmed the view that indeed the working class continue to face the contradictions of poverty, inequality and unemployment as a result of mainly three factors, namely, the legacy of imperialist domination of our country during the last 300 years, the negative impact of the neo-liberal policies contained in the 1996 Gear macro-economic policy framework, and the many past decades of the crisis ridden capitalist system, including the current and much more severe ongoing crisis.

PEC reaffirmed its full appreciation of the qualitative and strategic advances made by the current government led by President Jacob Zuma and the entire collective at national, provincial and local government level to resolve these contradictions.

PEC firmly believes that since the ANC 52nd National Conference held in Polokwane, the ANC led Alliance has laid a solid foundation for further radical changes as captured in the ANC`s discussion document on the Second Phase of the Transition.

PEC firmly believes that this collective leadership under President Jacob Zuma, the programme and framework adopted in Polokwane should be consolidated in the ANC`s 53rd National Conference to be held in Mangaung and post the Conference.

PEC deeply admired and appreciated the fact that under President Zuma, the NDR has not fallen into the hands of imperialists and is still on track to resolve its historic contradictions.

Challenges in the Mining Sector and the Lonmin Mine in Marikana

PEC analysed the current and ongoing crisis at the Lonmin Mine in Marikana where in total 44 people died following the workers strike that started in early August 2012. PEC noted the fact that since the start of the illegal workers strike and destabilisation of production at the mine, the Platinum price started to gradually increase to at least 15 percent.

PEC further noted that the Platinum price increased steadily in January and February of this year during the violent Implats mine strike.

PEC noted that the relationship between the rising price of Platinum and the AMCU led violent strikes in the Rustenburg platinum belt area, which accounts for the largest part of the world supply of Platinum, raises more questions than meet the eye.

PEC welcomed the approach of the CC on the Marikana Lonmin mine and reaffirmed the principled approach adopted by President Jacob Zuma to establish a Judicial Commission of Enquiry. PEC believes that the outcomes of the Commission will enable the nation as a whole to engage the matter from the basis of concrete facts and scientific truth.

PEC believes that the ANC led Alliance should move with speed to implement the recommendations contained in the SIMS report and ensure an even stronger state involvement and effective control over the mining sector.

PEC strongly condemns the opportunism and populist posture adopted by certain forces in our society, using sheer speculation and untested "truths" to serve their narrow selfish political interests by exploiting the difficult conditions the workers find themselves in.

PEC welcomed and fully appreciated the most principled and strategic leadership shown by the National Union Mineworkers (NUM) and government in managing a complex and very difficult situation.

PEC called on workers to be vigilant and militant against divisive and manipulative forces that are hell-bent on weakening the unity of workers to serve the interests of the mining bourgeoisie and the exploiting capitalist class.

2012 Programme of Action

PEC adopted a programme of action for the year 2012. The programme includes the planned protest march to the DA run Municipality in Midvaal on the 16th September 2012. The march follows the succesful door-to-door campaign of the SACP conducted on Sunday, 5th August 2012.

PEC further resolved to launch the Red October Campaign in the province focussing on the fight against corruption starting on Sunday, 14th October 2012.

PEC will lead a protest march against the SABC and ICASA as the regulator to fight corruption at the SABC, but also to defend its mandate and role as a public broadcaster to ensure that it serves the interests of the overwhelming majority of the people of this country as opposed to those of certain narrow political factions and groupings and the elite.

The march will proceed from the SABC to the Office of the Premier to present the Party`s pledge to fight corruption in partnership with the Provincial Government and to ensure that all cases of alleged acts of corruption are finalised and appropriate action taken.

PEC also resolved to host a political Lecture on the ANC Centenary and historic relations between these two political formations on Sunday, 21st October 2012 at the Soweto Campus of the University of Johannesburg.

PEC concluded the meeting by strongly condemning the conviction of comrade Amos Mbedzi by the most barbaric and backward regime of King Mswati. PEC firmly believes that only history will absolve and vindicate the most revolutionary and militant conduct of comrade Amos Mbedzi to contribute to the liberation of the people of Swaziland as the fall of the Mswati regime is inevitable and imminent.

Issued on behalf of the PEC

By Mamabolo Jacob: Provincial Secretary: 082 884 1868
Molly Dlamini: PEC Spokesperson: 082 923 4294