22 June 2007
In the course of today's regular meeting, the SACP PB afforded National Treasurer, cde Phillip Dexter, the opportunity to explain and contextualise the document entitled "Working Class Leadership, Political Power and Hegemony in the NDR", parts of which have been published in the media in the past two weeks.
Cde Dexter accepted responsibility for the document. He stated that it was a "very rough draft" and that he had no intention of publishing it in the public media, or, in its present version, in any Party publication. While denying that he had personally circulated it to newspapers, he accepted responsibility for having circulated it to a range of individuals over the last several months.
The PB unequivocally reaffirms the commitment of the SACP to robust, comradely debate within our ranks. We are proud of the traditions of internal debate, much of which we publish in our various publications. The PB was, however, unanimous in its view that cde Dexter's document strays far beyond the bounds of the acceptable in its tone, its general hostility, its uncomradely and destructive views, in its implicit targeting of fellow comrades, and in its individualistic disowning of programmes, policy perspectives and campaigns for which we all bear collective responsibility. No organisation which takes itself remotely seriously would allow for this. Cde Dexter's errors of judgement are all the more serious given his very senior position within the Party leadership.
After careful consideration of all of the above, the PB unanimously agreed to strongly censure cde Dexter for his behaviour and to suspend his Party membership for a period of 12 months. Cde Dexter himself did indeed apologise for his mistakes at this Politburo meeting and offered to issue a public apology.
In taking this serious step - which is unprecedented in the recent history of the Party - we are emphatically not sending out a message to our 51,000 members that they should be timid, uncritical followers of a monolithic line. In fact, in the run-up to our 12th Party Congress in mid-July, there are many important matters up for debate and discussion. In taking the present step we are, in fact, seeking to defend the space for constructive debate, which can only be compromised by tendencies towards factionalism, intolerance, media leaks, and uncomradely personalisation of problems and collective challenges.
Cde Dexter has made an important contribution to the SACP over many years. We trust that he will use the 12 months suspension period to reflect on and correct his mistakes and error of judgement.
Issued by the SACP Politburo.
For information Contact:
Malesela Maleka
SACP Spokesperson
082 226 1802