SACP Mpumalanga PEC Statement
The 8th Congress Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) of the South African Communist Party (SACP) in Mpumalanga Province convened its 8th Plenary Session on Sunday, 11th May 2014 at eMalahleni. The meeting focused on assessing the general election campaign and outcomes, collective analysis of political developments in the province, nationally and globally. The meeting took place in the revolutionary month of May where we will be commemorating our former Provincial Chairperson, Cde Ephraim Mogale and Cde Moses Kotane, former General Secretary.
A moment for Radical Economic Transformation is now:
The economy of the country remains in the hands of the unelected minority that exploits the working class. Our biggest problem in the country is constituted by structural constraints that act against marching faster to economic emancipation, hence opportunist, populist demagogues, find a fertile ground to deceive our masses.
However, the masses of our people have rejected these demagogues and the party of white privilege on the ballot by entrusting our revolutionary movement as led by the ANC with another overwhelming mandate for the next five years. The movement must radicalize economic transformation and development for the benefit of the working class. The means of production must as speedily as possible be transferred to the people, for example land redistribution must move faster, and the free reign of exploitation must be curtailed and ruined.
The SACP in the province congratulates the ANC for a decisive victory under difficult conditions nationally. We are convinced that Mpumalanga remains the home of the African National Congress; however the masses spoke through the ballot on their anger against corrupt individuals who dent the good name of the ANC in this province.
We acknowledge the good work done by our Chris Hani Red Brigades to campaign in identified hotspots regardless of bad treatment from those who want a one-man show. We must avoid complacency and arrogance as the movement as we prepare for the 2016 local government elections. The PEC believes that election campaigns and electoral victory come from collective efforts rather than individuality.
The decline in percentage in this province needs thorough assessment and honest self-introspection of the movement. We cannot celebrate only, without critically reflecting on the decline in the number of seats in our provincial legislature. We need to ask ourselves "What was the effect and what is to be done?"
Defeat the Anti-communists Tendency in Mpumalanga:
The PEC is concerned by the hatred of communists in Mpumalanga. Communists at all levels of structures are under siege from lumpen-tenderpreneurs. We are not going to be threatened by former Apartheid Agents who have the mission to destroy the liberation movement.
We reiterate that, the new Minister of Police must release the report on political killings in the province as a matter of urgency. All those responsible must be brought to book. There must be an official inquest on the killing of Cde Jimmy Mohlala, Bomber Ntshangase, Moses Marobela, Juda Tsotetsi and others. The police must arrest perpetrators for these brutal acts and the justice system cannot simply release suspects from with assertions of lack of evidence followed by no further action.
We commit ourselves to face the lumpen-tenderpreneurs in the province head-on until their empire collapses.
State of municipalities needs much to be desired
Most of the municipalities within the province are on the state of collapse due to the lumpen-tenderpreneurs who are hell-bent on looting service delivery resources. Municipalities are a playground for these forces. Municipal officials and other Mayors within the province are threatened when they expose such rapacious acts.
People put municipalities under administration not in the quest to assist but to open floodgates of looting. We are concerned by what is happening in Emalahleni Local Municipality in which three security companies are in operation whilst the CBD is engulfed by potholes. Others march to municipalities just because officials defy their unscrupulous tendency.
East-Africa: A Petrol-dollar Region - Avoid War:
The PEC noted that there are massive oil and gas deposits in the region. The economy of these countries is likely to grow and this could enhance the membership and influence of the 12-member Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) as the Eastern African seaboard nations venture into oil and gas production.
The great concern is the thorns of border disputes and suspicions embroiled in those countries. Already Tanzania and Malawi are embroiled in a bitter conflict over Lake Malawi after Malawi gave the British oil firm, Surestream Resources, exploration rights over the lake. Tanzania already declared their readiness for war if Malawi continues with exploration plans.
Uganda and DRC are also caught in a border dispute over Lake Albert. Whilst Kenya awarded two offshore oil blocks to oil companies ENI, Anadarko and Total. Somalia has bitterly disputed this contracts, claiming that the oil blocks lie in Somali waters.
The disputes may create unnecessary conflicts and wars which could benefit the imperialist agenda to destabilize the continent. We hope all these ongoing disputes will be attended to and an amicable solution reached in the interest of all affected countries, particularly the working class.
U.S: Masters of Imperialism:
The United States under the Obama administration continues to bully other countries and interfere in their affairs. The Asians note that in 1994, in exchange for surrendering nuclear weapons, Ukraine received a guarantee from Russia, America and Britain that its borders were safe. The Baltic countries remember the red lines crossed in Syria. Together, these retreats plant a nagging suspicion among friends and foes that on the big day America simply might not turn up.
Admittedly, deterrence always has some element of doubt. Between certainty that any U.S President will defend America's own territory and the strong belief that America would not fight Russia over Ukraine lies an infinite combination of possibilities. A lot depends on how each incident unfolds. But doubt spread quickly in that middle ground - and it risks making the world dangerous and nastier place.
Nigeria
The PEC condemns the abduction of working class innocent girls in Nigeria. We believe this act is political and the poor girls cannot be a sacrifice for narrow selfish interests by the Boko Haram.
Intensify the struggle to obliterate Tinkundla Regime:
We congratulate the Communist Party of Swaziland for hosting a successful National Congress in our Province last month. The congress took place at the time when fear has engulfed the tiny kingdom, to the point that journalists are shying away from reporting on vital issues affecting the rule of law and political dissent in Swaziland.
We note with disgust and further condemn the continued arrests of comrades. Seven PUDEMO members are out on bail after they were arrested for wearing T-shirts bearing the logo of the organization. PUDEMO President, Cde Mario Masuku and Cde Maxwell Dlamini are still in custody after they were arrested just after May Day rally, at which police allege they shouted "Away with Mswati" and they were refused bail.
The PEC will engage with its alliance structures in the province to convene a summit on Swaziland bearing in mind Mangaung resolutions on Swaziland and that the ANC in the province should actually be playing a meaningful role.
Statement issued by Bonakele Majuba, SACP Mpumalanga Provincial Secretary, May 13 2014
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