13 May 2020
The South African Communist Party (SACP) in the Eastern Cape received the news of the untimely passing of Comrade Denzil Skweyiya with great sense of shock and sincere grief. Comrade Denzil Skweyiya died on the night of Friday, 8 May 2020 in a tragic motor vehicle accident that occurred between King Williamstown and Mdantsane.
The SACP in the Eastern Cape pays tribute to one of its outstanding cadres, a gentle giant who served humanity with diligence all his life. Comrade Skweyiya was recruited into the underground structures of the congress movement in Mdantsane by amongst others the ex-Robbin Islander, Tata Joseph ‘Joe’ Mati. He worked in the underground structures and was actively involved in recruiting and conscientising workers whilst he was working at the Ciskei Transport Corporation.
His hatred for the unjust laws of the illegitimate apartheid government and his commitment to liberate the oppressed people of his country led him to join the armed wing of the liberation movement, the glorious people’s army, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) in Angola. He received military training in the MK transit camp in Vienna. He was later trained in Camp 13, Quibaxe, Angola, where he was deployed in the anti-aircraft position. He then moved to Lusaka, Zambia, to undergo further military training.
Comrade Skweyiya was an honest and trustworthy comrade. This led to him being identified as one of the finance personnel of the army, as a person who also studied in that field. He carried those responsibilities with diligence.
His outstanding skills and honesty in handling finances led to him being identified by the South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) and recruited to serve in the office of the National Treasurer, Comrade Humphrey Maxegwana. He worked in the Finance Department of SACTU as its Manager until SACTU came home to merge with the Cosatu.
He was instrumental in preparing the winding off of the financing of SACTU and fusing them with the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). As the leaders of SACTU had to return home to South Africa, Cde Denzil was instrumental in preparing the ground for them to settle back home, the task he carried out diligently. Part of preparing the movement of SACTU and its leadership back to the country included, selling off its properties, accounting to donors and international anti-apartheid movement. He did this work with honesty and working SACTU leadership convinced donors and international anti-apartheid movement to suport COSATU. Upon his return to South Africa, he was deployed to the head the finances of the Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU) in its Head Office in Cape Town.
He was later deployed at the Department of Transport in Bhisho, wherein he rose through the ranks and became its Chief Financial Officer (CFO) until his passing. He was the longest serving CFO in the provincial administration, who under his leadership the Department of Transport has been consistently receiving unqualified audits. He served the people of the Eastern Cape with diligence.
He served in various structures of the South African Communist Party (SACP) in the Skenjana Roji District. He served in the leadership of the TW Tibeti branch, later served in the leadership of the SACP Ncumisa Kondlo branch. At the time of his passing he was serving as the Deputy Chairperson of the SACP Sebenzile Mdyogolo branch. He was instrumental in the building of SACP structures around Mdantsane and ensuring the success of Party programmes. He also served the movement in various structures and was a committed activist of the African National Congress.
As the SACP, we mourn the tragic passing of one of our finest cadres. We dip our red banner in honour of a gallant fighter and the dedicated servant of the people. We will always remember Comrade Skweyiya for his commitment to the just course of the people, his humble personality, genuine love of his country and its people. He was committed to building an ethical and capable governance that delivers to the needs and aspirations of the people, hence his commitment in the fight against corruption.
We are of the firm view that the details surrounding the accident that took his life leaves more questions than answers. As the SACP, we are calling upon the Eastern Cape Provincial government to establish an inquest (judicial inquiry) on his passing to reveal the facts surrounding the incident of his unfortunate death.
The SACP Eastern Cape says Hamba Kahle Comrade Denzil Skweyiya, we commit ourselves to continue with the struggle against corruption and to building the foundation for the better and a more humane society whose foundation is respect of life and service to humanity.
Issued by the SACP Eastern Cape
Contact:
Siyabonga Mdodi
SACP Provincial Spokesperson
Mobile: 0833588070
Email: simdodi@gmail.com
Facebook: SACP Eastern Cape
Twitter: @SACPECmedia
Website: www.sacp.org.za
