POLITICS

NWC decision to charge Vavi reckless - SACP

Party says decision would have been pushed through in absence of key members

SACP STATEMENT ON THE ALLEGED CHARGING OF CDE ZWELINZIMA VAVI

The SACP notes media reports suggesting that the ANC NWC took a decision to charge COSATU's General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi. We simply just cannot believe that the ANC can take such a reckless decision which runs counter to the ANC's own commitment to the alliance it leads.

What we find completely distasteful is the manner in which how some amongst those who attended the NWC systematically leaked the information to the media.  This cannot be nothing but a counter-revolutionary action aimed at undermining the unity of the ANC and the alliance.

If true, this reckless decision would have been pushed through only after the NWC meeting was deliberately prolonged way past the meetings scheduled conclusion, and therefore in the absence of a significant number of NWC members.

Such a decision has no grounding in the ANC's own disciplinary codes, or constitution, still less its traditions.

For some amongst the SACP have warned of the existence of a small, counter-revolutionary tendency, that seek to destabilise the unity of the ANC and of the alliance it leads. It is a tendency that advances sectarian and personal accumulation agendas at any cost.

Since the ANC December 2007 Polokwane Conference the alliance, has in fact, been characterised by a rediscovered unity based on a growing convergence around strategic priorities, policy and programmes of action. This growing unity within our movement has been warmly welcomed by the great majority of ANC members and supporters. However, like the DA and others in the opposition, a clique within the ANC fears principled ANC and alliance unity above all else.

For many years former President Mbeki sought to marginalise COSATU and the SACP. There were even attempts to provoke a walk out and consequence alliance split. The great majority of ANC members rejected these manoeuvres and defeated this agenda.

As the SACP we will continue to defend the unity of the ANC and of the alliance. We call on the great majority of ANC leaders and members who are thoroughly sick of this reckless manoeuvre to close ranks. Let us close ranks. Let us isolate the reckless. Let us remain focused on our shared strategic priorities - job creation, healthcare, education and skills, rural development, and above all on defeating crime and corruption wherever they exist.

Statement issued by the South African Communist Party, June 2 2010

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