POLITICS

Govt pension funds must be treated with meticulous care - Alliance

Commitment to establishment of judicial inquiry into state capture also re-confirmed

Statement of the Alliance Political Council meeting held on the 26th October 2017

27 October 2017

The National Officials of the African National Congress (ANC), South African Communist Party (SACP), Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) met on Thursday, 26 October in Johannesburg. 

This meeting dealt with current challenges in the Movement and broader society. The Alliance Political Council reaffirmed the relevance of the Alliance in pursuing the National Democratic Revolution (NDR).

The Alliance Partners are in agreement that Alliance relations are currently at their lowest levels and committed to a series of measures to address this situation. This commitment is underpinned by a fundamental understanding that the Alliance remains best placed to unite the broadest cross-section of society behind the objectives of building a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa. 

Ongoing Engagement

Alliance partners raised issues in a frank and honest manner and agreed that the nature of the issues raised requires ongoing engagement. All parties agreed that the Alliance must return to holding regular meetings as decided upon in the Ekurhuleni I and II Summits and amplified in the first Alliance Political Council in 2008.

There was specific agreement that there should be an urgent follow-up Alliance Political Council meeting and that this meeting should be preceded by a series of meetings dealing with specific issues. It was agreed that these meetings and the next meeting of the Alliance Political Council must take place during November 2017. 

Reconfigured Alliance

The meeting agreed that the Alliance Secretariat will develop a paper on the modalities of a reconfigured Alliance. This paper will be tabled and discussed at the next meeting of the Alliance Political Council.

Judicial Commission of Inquiry on State Capture

The Alliance reconfirms its commitment to the establishment of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry. The meeting agreed that this matter must be brought to finality as a matter of urgency. 

The Economy

Inequality, poverty and unemployment are exacerbated by the low growth levels of our economy. The meeting also expressed concerns about the ballooning debt levels and agreed to hold in-depth discussions on these economic challenges throughout November.

There was consensus that workers’ assets in the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) and Public Investment Corporation (PIC) must be treated with meticulous care and that these instruments must be used to further developmental objectives. 

Commitment to non-racialism

The Alliance reconfirms our commitment to non-racialism as a fundamental principle of our Movement. We shall embark on targeted campaigns to promote non-racialism throughout Alliance structures and broader society. 

Public Transport

Providing safe, affordable, accessible and reliable public transport is an important developmental objective. The meeting expressed grave concern about, particularly, the Western Cape Metrorail crisis. Alliance structures in the province must continue to highlight the dangerous conditions that commuters are forced to endure. We call on government to address this issue with urgency and speed. 

Prerogative to appoint members of executive structures 

The meeting discussed the prerogative of the President, Premiers and Mayors to appoint and release members of cabinet, executive councils and mayoral committees. Alliance Partners highlighted the importance of appropriate consultation and reconfirmed the necessity for the Alliance to make meaningful input into strategic decisions. 

Campaigns

The Alliance will embark on the following campaigns:

Unemployment and, specifically, youth unemployment

Gender-based violence

The ANC 54th National Conference 

There was acknowledgement that this 54thConference is of utmost importance and the Alliance committed to working to ensure that the Conference serves to unify the Movement. 

The Alliance makes a call on all cadres to conduct themselves in an exemplary manner whilst engaging in the processes towards the 54thNational Conference. 

Issued by:

The African National Congress 

The South African Communist Party

The Congress of South African Trade Unions 

The South African National Civic Organisation 

27 October 2017