SACP Mpumalanga statement of the 6th Plenary Session, 8th Congress PEC

25 November 2013

The South African Communist Party (SACP) in Mpumalanga Province convened its 6th Plenary Session of the 8th Congress Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) on Sunday, 24 November 2013. The meeting was held at Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, Council Chambers, and assessed progress made on implementing the resolutions and analysed the content of the unfolding political developments in the province and nationally. The meeting therefore received and considered the Political Report, which was presented by the Provincial Secretary.

The meeting received international message of solidarity by the Communist Party of Swaziland (CPS) and messages from Alliance formations.

The meeting took place on the eve of 16 Days of Activism against Women and Children Abuse. The PEC condemned the brutal killings of young people in the province and across the country, and called on law enforcement agencies and citizens at large to be patriotic and fight this social ill.

International context

The PEC commended Russia`s intervention on the Syrian question which disrupted the plans of the masters of imperialism � the USA, its European allies, puppets and client regimes elsewhere � in their quest to attack Syria.

The PEC noted attempts by imperialist forces to destabilize liberation movements in the continent as we see with the case of RENAMO in Mozambique which is threatening to destabilise that country. What is happening within alliance structures and the South African political landscapes towards the 2014 General elections is therefore no surprise. There is definitely imperialist mechanisation including but not limited to attempts to fragment our movement and independent formations.

The PEC discussed the situation in Swaziland, and reaffirmed to intensify and closely work with all progressive forces in that country to fight against the unjust system. The subjugation of women in Swaziland leaves much to be desired. South Africa as a member state of SADC must play a meaningful role to assist the oppressed masses in that country by cutting ties with the Tinkundla Regime.

The National Democratic Revolution

The PEC believes that the NDR is still on track despite attempts by imperialists to off-rail the revolution from its ultimate goals.

Internationally funded organisations are attempting to bring the revolution under the state of siege. Their aim with respect to the forthcoming elections is to ensure that the ANC`s electoral percentage is reduced. Some of these forces are planning to take over the country in or by 2019. Their intentions include creating chaos in our movement or some of its formations before they reveal their true colours and organizational realignment. Agents from within and without are hell-bent on collapsing the alliance and weakening COSATU.

Imperialism, among other through their agents, will from time to time try to dislodge the ANC and the rest of alliance and national liberation movement.

All progressive and revolutionary forces should rise in defence of the revolution and the gains achieved since the democratic breakthrough.

The PEC as called on all delegates who will be attending NUMSA Special Congress to defend NUMSA, COSATU and the broader revolutionary alliance. If there are problems internally, real comrades will seek to resolve them from within maintaining a high degree of discipline. Leaving the federation and the alliance will benefit the enemies of the NDR. We will fight for unity and cohesion of the federation.

The PEC also noted with concern attempts by Lumpen Tenderprenuers to hijack our movement or deepen their grip in areas where they have succeeded already. Their interests have nothing to do with the plight of the masses rather their own and selfish greed. This tendency is driven by crass materialism and private accumulation. The movement will and has to cleanse itself from such tendencies.

PEC acknowledged the unity of COSATU in the province. Those who continue to posture themselves as enemies of the alliance and the revolution and further threatening to split they should know that the revolution is above any individual and their faction. Comrades should fight against the cult of personality and be loyal to the organisation.

Anti-Communists tendencies in the province

Former `apartheid-stratcom-type` agents, who were trained to literally hate communists, are still in full operation in Mpumalanga and continuing to persecute communists. Many communists in this province are mysteriously killed. Those alive are constantly harassed. This tendency has now extended beyond communists. Also experienced ANC cadres are marginalised and ostracised, most of them are discouraged to participate in the movement.

We reiterate our call to the Minister of Police to release reports on political killings in the province. All those who are found to be responsible must be arrested and bought to book.

The SACP in the province also calls on the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development to investigate why there has been no conviction on such cases in the province. We are tired of being frozen to fear in the country of our birth during the times of a democratic transition.

These agents are now manifesting as lumpen tenderprenuers dispatching patronage and being experts in looting state resources, thus deliberately creating a political lull so that they alone can be seen as revolutionaries and being in charge of the �revolution� they cannot define.

It is crime to be a communist in Mpumalanga. The PEC expressed their readiness to defend the SACP and the revolution even if the implication is that we will face death sentence by criminal means.

The PEC has also noted attempts to divide the SACP in the province through the electoral list process. We refuse to be dictated by the lumpen tenderprenuers.

2014 Elections

The PEC affirmed its commitment to campaign for the ANC and deliver a decisive victory. Unity of all progressive structures is important, but that does not mean we compromise our core principles and discipline in the name of unity.

We will roll-out a decisive election program as we are about to enter into the second phase of our election process as a movement. We call upon all our structures to ensure that the ANC wins the upcoming by-elections in the province on the 27 November 2013.

Issued by SACP Mpumalanga

Enquiries:

Bonakele Majuba - Provincial Secretary @ 082 968 4877
Lesetja Dikgale - Provincial Spokesperson @ 076 869 4360
Tinyiko Gift Ntini - Provincial Media Liaison @ 073 811 2020