16 May 2019

The South African Communist Party in Moses Mabhida Province of KwaZulu Natal, held a Special Provincial Executive Committee meeting on Sunday 12 May 2019 ,which was subsequently followed by a Provincial Working Committee on the 14 May 2019. The meeting largely deliberated on recent development in the political landscape in South Africa. The discussion centred on assessment of the National and Provincial elections, state of governance including the recent unrest at Ethekwini Municipality, the killings at eMpembeni in Richardsbay and other general topical matters.

The Party is thankful that the ANC managed to win the 2019 elections both nationally and in the Province of KwaZulu Natal and we equally take the opportunity to thank all volunteers and Chris Hani Red Brigades for their active efforts towards the victory of the ANC. However strong concerns were raised on the decline in performance which lead to significant drop in voter support for the ANC, The almost 6% decline in the National voter support for the ANC and also almost 11% in the Province of KwaZulu Natal requires a very serious introspection by the movement and the alliance as a whole. The PEC strongly believe such under-performance is partly self-inflicted and partly the result of a rise in counter-revolutionary activities gaining momentum in South Africa and in the Congress movement itself.

The evolving of politics in South Africa need to be looked at together with international political development, where there is an onslaught on the left and the working class in particular. In spite of the aggressiveness of capital to push South Africa to the right it is still encouraging to see the majority of our people showing some degree of the stubbornness to remain on the left even to a point where some seeking refuge in EFF on belief that it is creating a new left platform. In reality there is nothing left about EFF except being a project to deceive the left and to weaken the ANC and its Alliance. It is a same strategy used to lure away Nationalist 60 years ago by forming PAC to divide the congress movement.

Another noticeable feature of these elections was the lack of interest to vote by a large number of citizens. What has been witnessed in Bergville was a history making in the Province and the country as whole, where public protest was preferred to voting during the Election Day. This was a culmination of an unprecedented increase in the number of public protest, during the past five year term. The decline in the interest to vote in preference to public protest, may mean a decline in confidence to public representatives and political parties therefore in democracy itself. Although not as significant as we witnessing in older democracy. What does it mean for our National Democratic Revolution which is pinned on by the majority to our democracy? The outcome of this election, the sorry state of the ANC and the Alliance, the near anarchy in the governance posed a serious threat to our NDR.

The Elections also took place at a backdrop of an unrest and workers strike at Ethekwini Municipality. The workers strike against what they view as a corrupt act of dividing the workers through giving an exorbitant increase and upgrading of ex-MKMVA combatant. The Party describes this incident of Ethekwini as big shame and disgrace to our Government and democracy. It followed a series of negative media coverage on acts of corruption by the Ethekwini Municipality, which has been reported to have been taking place with impunity. Such acts of corruption, maladministration and lack of service delivery are now being reported to be the order of the day in almost the majority of the municipalities. Some of them are also said to be collapsing like Umsunduzi and Alfred Duma.

The SACP in the Province of KwaZulu Natal strongly believe that what we are now seeing in Ethekwini and in many Municipalities, is a product of the ignoring of Nkosazana Dlamini – Zuma commission report and factional deployment of 2016. It is an emerging threat for good governance and possible destabilisation of the Province. We are still not out of danger in political killings, which is linked to the unfolding politics of the Province.

This is seen as a big test to the current political leadership. To put it bluntly what we have been witnessing or experience in the last three to five years is a precipitation of the kind and style of emerging political leadership.

All of the above incidences in Ethekwini and other municipalities points towards a state institutions that have been captured. The Party has been observing overtime a situation even in Provincial departments and public entities where some services providers and business individuals are perpetual beneficiaries of tenders. The PEC resolved to call for the Provincial State Capture Commission from the incoming administration. After Moerane Commission revealed that most political killings emanate from quest for access to resources it is then logical to zoom into state capture of which we are certain it may provide some light into mysterious political killings many of them are still to be solve. Outcome of state capture commission will has a huge potential of releasing more funds for service delivery, which are currently siphoned off from state coffers into private interest and syndicates.

Another matter that drew the attention of the PEC was the developments in the water sector. There has been numerous incidences in the water sector that points towards organised looting at the expense of water and sanitation service delivery in the Province and the country at large. This is also heavily linked to the anarchic state of affair at the department of water and sanitation. The ongoing labour and public unrest around, water cuts and shortages are a result of self-helping projects by some syndicates. That is why we are witnessing a booming industry of “Waterkan” vehicles.

There are also ongoing disturbing development on matter of governance in water boards and in almost all water services authorities. The incidences at UGu, UMkhanyakude, Amajuba and UThukela around water services now need close scrutiny. The same can be said on Ethekwini, Msunduzi and Mhlathuze municipalities. This is a serious matter which the Party must raise with the ruling Party and the government.

The PEC also paid attention to the ongoing killings at Empembeni in Richards Bay. The Party believes such killing may be related to some industrial development in the area. The Party will embark on a ground fact finding mission to expose what is happening that leading to slaughtering of members of the community. There appear to have similarities on what happened at Glebelands Hostel to what is happening in Empembeni.

In conclusion the PEC congratulates Comrade Willies Mchunu on his retirement, from the government and wish him a speedily recovery on his ailment. Cde Willies spent almost all his active life, fighting for liberation and betterment of all human lives. The Party regarded him as a champion of peace in KwaZulu Natal and will always regard him as a man of people.

Uphumule kahle makhuze moyizela.

Issued by SACP Moses Mabhida Province

For enquiries contact:

Themba Mthembu
Provincial Secretary
Mobile: 083 303 6988

Msizi Nhlapho
2nd Deputy Provincial Secretary
Mobile: 060 788 6211