20 July 2016
The Party is now armed with an electoral court order, received yesterday afternoon, and is forging ahead in bringing criminal charges against electoral fraudsters!
The South African Communist Party (SACP) welcomes the Electoral Court of South Africa`;s order delivered late yesterday, Tuesday 19 July 2016, reaffirming the Party`;s democratic organisational sovereignty on its internal affairs. The order came as a result of the SACP rightfully asserting its authority and that of its constitution, party discipline and political programme. In particular, the SACP has asserted its standing electoral strategy of an African National Congress (ANC)-led alliance. The SACP is accordingly campaigning for an ANC victory in the 3 August local government elections and has instructed the Independent Electoral Commission to ensure that no unauthorised use of its name occurs on the ballot across all municipalities.
The SACP conducts its internal affairs in accordance with its constitution - in terms of which the court, as it correctly states in its order - "is incompetent to" attend to. The SACP`;s constitution categorically states that: "SACP members are obliged to defend the SACP and to carry out its decisions. All decisions taken by higher structures are binding on all lower structures and individual members". This procedure is based on the principles of inner Party democracy, involving freedom of discussion in policy determination as well as centralism (i.e. unity of, and in, action) behind the outcomes of the exercise of freedom of discussion. The National Congress is accordingly the highest authority of the SACP as well as the Central Committee in between national congresses and the Political Bureau in between Central Committee Plenary Sessions.
Individuals who are not SACP members - such as almost all of the individuals in the Alfred Nzo district municipality who sought to stand for elections hijacking the name of the SACP or using it without authorisation; or as the court correctly found, individuals who are not the SACP as a registered political party: DO NOT HAVE ANY LEGAL STANDING TO REPRESENT THE PARTY!
The SACP will continue to act decisively against any identity theft and electoral fraud affecting it, and wishes to reiterate that it strictly reserves its rights and responsibilities in terms of its constitution, party discipline and political programme as well as in terms of the law!
The SACP is continuing with its determination to bring charges against individuals who committed forgery and fraud affecting the Party or its name or that of its General Secretary Comrade Blade Nzimande!
The SACP says:
"Together we fought apartheid. Together we can fight inequality, unemployment and poverty. Vote ANC in the 3 August local government elections!"
Issued by the SACP
FOR GENERAL ENQUIRIES ON SACP STATEMENTS
CONTACT:
ALEX MOHUBETSWANE MASHILO: NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON, HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS
SKYPE: MASHILOAM
MOBILE: 082 9200 308
OFFICE: 011 339 3621/2
TWITTER: SACP1921
FACEBOOK PAGE: SOUTH AFRICAN COMMUNIST PARTY
SACP USTREAM TV CHANNEL: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/sacp-tv