SACP statement on the attack on Cde Buti Manamela

17 May 2007

On Wednesday night, 16th May 2007, the National Secretary of the Young Communist League Cde Buti Manamela was at the Ellis Park Stadium to watch the football match between Orlando Pirates FC and Bloemfontein Celtic FC.

At about 21h45, he was on the way to the cloakroom when he noticed an unknown man following him. As he turned around, the man drew a firearm and pointed it at him. After a tussle, Cde Buti managed to escape back to the suite and the man fled.

The SACP is alarmed and deeply concerned by this incident. It follows a series of sinister incidents involving SACP leaders, all of which we have reported to the South African Police Service. These include:

1. Surveillance and tailing of the General Secretary Dr Blade Nzimande as well as attempts to bribe his security detail in exchange for information about his movements
2. Numerous hijackings of the SACP national organiser Solly Mapaila, ostensibly to steal SACP documentation
3. Tailing of the YCL National Secretary Buti Manamela

Attempts to trace the number plates of the vehicles following the SACP\'s General Secretary and the YCL\'s National Secretary have revealed that these were false plates.

We demand that the SAPS get to the bottom of these incidents and treat the issue with the seriousness it deserves. We are concerned that despite the serious nature of these incidents, we have received no feedback from the police on all the cases reported.

We believe these incidents pose a serious threat to our democracy and the advances we have made as a movement and country. They take place in the context of the upcoming 12th National Congress of the SACP as well as current debates in the broad movement. For this reason, our security agencies need to pay requisite attention to matters of security of our leaders.

Issued by the SACP.

For more information Contact:

Malesela Maleka
SACP Spokesperson
082 226 1802