SACP KZN Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) Statement

18 August 2011

The South African Communist Party (SACP) in KwaZulu-Natal held its scheduled Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) meeting on Sunday in which a number of things were discussed. Among issues discussed were the following:

• The overwhelmingly successful 90th anniversary rally which was held at the Sugar Ray Xulu stadium in Clermont. This rally confirmed KwaZulu-Natal as a leading province in terms of implementing the programmes of the party and the growth of the SACP in general.

• Noting the overwhelming support, the PEC resolved to build on this growth to consolidate and advance the working class struggle.

• The party noted the thuggish behaviour of a small but noisy group which tried to disrupt the rally.

• The PEC also discussed the arrests of Comrades Mike Mabuyakhulu and Peggy Nkonyeni – the MEC for Economic Development and Tourism and Speaker of KwaZulu-Natal Legislature respectively.

• The PEC re-affirmed its commitment to the alliance statement which was issued on the day the two comrades appeared in court. The SACP will give them its full support on the basis of the principle of innocence until proven otherwise.

• The PEC also expressed disappointment on the conduct of the NPA in this matter in which the prosecuting authority effectively subjected the two comrades in a trial by the media. We believe the leaks into the media by some senior NPA officials were a gross violation of the two comrades’ constitutional rights to a fair trial. As a result the SACP in KwaZulu-Natal is contemplating approaching the Human Rights Commission and the Public Protector to investigate the conduct of the NPA in this matter.

• The SACP is also looking at the possibilities of making representations to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Jeff Radebe and President Jacob Zuma on the conduct of the NPA in this matter.

• The conduct of the NPA in this matter confirmed to the PEC that there were many truths in the findings of the Ginwala Commission of Inquiry as far as NPA head Menzi Simelane is concerned. We are also highly disturbed by the infighting that is currently taking place between Simelane and the leading investigators in this matter. This infighting questions the credibility and suitability of Simelane to lead the NPA. In fact, the record of the NPA has deteriorated into a situation far worse than that of his predecessors.

The PEC welcomed the approval of the National Health Insurance (NHI) plan and the subsequent introduction of the White Paper on this system. The PEC believes that this is a sign of the progressiveness of this government and its commitment to tackling the issues that affect the working class and the poor.

The PEC also discussed the carnage that is taking place on the provincial roads as far as road accidents are concerned. The PEC resolved to consult the MEC for Transport and Community Safety and Liaison to set up a research team which should probe the phenomenal increase in road accidents. This team, the PEC suggested, should work with the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

The party is also highly disturbed by lack of progress in the investigation towards the death of slain ANC Ethekwini regional Secretary Comrade Sbu Sibiya. We are calling on the law enforcement agencies to prioritise this matter in order to restore faith in the criminal justice system. The amount offered suggests that the police are not treating this as a high profile. It suggests that the case is treated as a normal criminal case whereas it should be treated as a high profile case which it is.

Finally, the PEC welcomed the nomination by President Jacob Zuma of the Constitutional Court Judge Moegoeng Moegoeng as the new Chief Justice of the Republic. The PEC believes that the opposition to the nomination is an opposition to transformation of the judiciary which remains largely untransformed.

For more information contact:

Themba Mthembu
SACP Provincial Secretary
South African Communist Party (KwaZulu-Natal)
Tel - 031 301 3806
Fax – 031 301 5470
Cell - 0833036988