20 May 2019

The SACP, COSATU and SANCO in the Western Cape Province met on the 20th May 2019 in Salt River, Cape Town to discuss the recent disturbing political developments in our province. The meeting discussed a number of issues, including the outcomes of the elections, political instability in the ANC’s Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) and the state of the working class in the Western Cape. The three components of our revolutionary alliance took a conscious the decision to meet without the PEC of the ANC given its current state.

Guided by the National Democratic Revolution, it is our understanding that the ANC contests elections on behalf of the progressive forces of the South African revolution. Hence, our resolve is to guard the NDR as the only instrument and direct route to the total emancipation of humankind. It is due to this conviction that we expect the ANC to, at all material times lead the NDR. Regrettably, some in the ANC have misunderstood this leadership role to mean big brother status to bully other alliance components.

As the three components of the alliance, we feel embarrassed by the recent events that unfolded pre and post 8 May 2019. In particular, we distance ourselves from the manner in which deployment was handled and use of resources to advance factional agendas, which ultimately may have resulted in poor performance in the May elections. We have observed over time the self-acquired big brother status of the ANC in our revolutionary alliance. This includes a tendency to reduce other alliance components to campaigning tools while it exclusively preserves powers to deploy to itself. However, we remain confident that it is only the NDR that will bring qualitative change to the lives of the millions of the working class. Thus, we were actively involved in campaigning for the decisive victory of the ANC, despite exclusion in the lists to Parliament and the Provincial Legislature.

Therefore, it is our considered view that by isolating and excluding its alliance partners from the strategic decision-making process; the ANC has declared its lack of commitment to the unity of the alliance. We reject this posture. Actually, the ANC PEC has demonstrated over time its incapacity to take any decision which will be in the interest of our shared national democratic revolution. And therefore remain unapologetic in our principled demand for meaningful consultation in the composition of the Political Committee within the Provincial Legislature.

Following the reports about R1 million donation from Dr Iqbal Surve and his company Sekunjalo which is a subject of investigation at the Commission of Inquiry into the affairs of Public Investment Corporation (PIC), we also call for a forensic audit to be conducted on the ANC finances in the province. All those involved in siphoning the R1 million donation must be removed from any public office. Most notably, the donated money may have been acquired through dubious means from the worker's pension (PIC).

Thus, we collectively reiterate the position we have pronounced severally that, an amount of R1 million which is purported to have been distributed by the now “suspended” Muarencia Gillion must be recouped and returned to Dr Iqbal Surve. The suspension should be extended to those who have received the money and are refusing to return it.

Secondly, we call upon the national leadership of the ANC to investigate reasons why the money has not returned to date. It is against this background that we call for all those involved not come closer to the doors of parliament, an honourable and august institution until the money which may belong to workers' pension is returned to Dr Surve.

We thank the Western Cape voters, in particular, those who voted for the ANC. Further express gratitude to the volunteers who worked tirelessly without expecting anything though they experienced many challenges.

We thank the dedicated staff of the independent electoral commission for demonstrating professionalism during a critical moment. Critically, we call upon the IEC take lessons on the 8 May election to properly prepare for elections and train their staff in order to respond to some of the shortfalls which are elementary in many cases.

Issued by SACP, COSATU and SANCO Western Cape

Contact:

Benson Ngqentsu- SACP Provincial Secretary @ 082 796 6400

Malvern de Druyn- COSATU Provincial Secretary @060 977 9027

Bonginkosi Qhama- SANCO Provincial Secretary @084 394 0033