SACP MOSES MABHIDA PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE STATEMENT ON DECISIONS OF THE SPECIAL PEC HELD ON 23 AUGUST 2020

25 August 2020; 10h00

The South African Communist Party in Moses Mabhida (KZN) held its Special Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) on Sunday 23 August 2020. The Special PEC was extended to all office bearers of the districts in the province of KwaZulu Natal. The Special PEC was called amid recent developments taking place in the ruling party the ANC and in government for the last few weeks. These developments pertain to matters of corruption in the ANC organisation and in government particularly on the procurement of COVID-19 personal protective clothing (PPE) that have tended to shook not only the SACP but the whole spectrum of the South African society.

What is in the public space nationally is reflected in the province also both in the African National Congress (ANC) and in the government.  The recent report on the KZN Social Development and blanket scandal and the PPE procurement of the Department of Education is part of a number of serious allegations pertaining to matters of corrupt acts in government here in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The shocking Auditor General’s Report of R6.5 billion happened after the province had incurred R14 billion of irregular expenditure. We must be aware that this is an increase from last financial year’s figures that is the clear indication of the acts of maladministration and maleficence in the province. To make matters worse was also the corruption in the distribution of food parcels which was widespread almost throughout the province.

The handling of the coronavirus, widely known as COVID-19 leaves a bitter taste in the tongues of many. These heated COVID-19 revelations are around corrupt procurement of COVID-19 PPEs, saniters and other related materials. The admission by the leadership of the ANC that there are serious challenges of corruption in the organisation and in the government which were confirmed by a frightening and disturbing statement by the Mkhonto WeSizwe Military Veteran Association (MKMVA) tells all and sundry for any caring governing party should be worried about such revelations that have been laid bare for all to see.

The corruption taking place during COVID-19 happened when all efforts should have been directed at saving the lives of our people from the pandemic, amid the deepening and worsening economic crisis. While so many people have died, or infected this corona virus, millions are losing their jobs in droves and many people are suffering from hunger, poverty and there is widening inequality.

It is for the above reason that the PEC of SACP in Moses Mabhida agreed with the statement of (MKMVA) denouncing these acts, which have been affirmed by NEC members of the ANC including the President. The biggest challenge facing the ruling party today is the fast-moving state of paralysis orchestrated from within. Factional forces sponsored by some scrupulous section of capital have completely captured the ANC. This wealth seeking predators have outmanoeuvred revolutionary and progressive forces within the liberation movement to an extent that self-correcting is now going to be like solving a very complex mathematical problem.

The corruption reported on COVID-19 procurement is actually a sample of what is being experienced from municipalities to government departments on daily basis. The SACP had raised this phenomenon with the ANC that there is a form of state capture in the province that requires the attention of the ruling party, the ANC and its alliance partners. The SACP in the province wants to repeat that there are massive pockets of state capture on many components of government, and municipal structures. The call is for the provincial government through the Office of the Premier to take serious actions such that nothing other than a Commission of Inquiry will be needed.

Some people are heartless and ruthless enough to divert financial and material assistance aid earmarked to save the lives of millions of our people and also to mitigate against job losses and hunger just to line their pockets. That is why we want to agree with the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus who has equated this atrocious act of corruption of PPEs as tantamount to murder. The PEC felt this is in fact, multiple murder. It is feeding on the dying carcases of the poor. The leaders of the liberation struggle must be turning in their graves in witnessing what is happening.

The PEC also delved on the state of Health in the province and concluded that this factor in the province may be in crisis. It was therefore resolved to do an in-depth analysis of the situation working together with other progressive groups or organisations like TAC with an intention to submit a report to the office of the Premier. The SACP will issue a compressive statement in this regard on completion of an in-depth analysis which will include the analysis of the handling of COVID-19 in the province. It was an overall feeling of the meeting that the push for the school reopening and the opening on non-essential work are seen as a reckless decision informed by prioritisation of profit over the lives of the people.

The PEC also applauded the disbandment of two boards, one of Umngeni Water, and one of Ezemvelo, Wildlife. Whilst we see that as being a long-overdue decision, nevertheless it a decision worth supporting, therefore giving credit to the executive authority, the Minister of Water Affairs and Sanitation Hon Lindiwe Sisulu and the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), Hon Nomusa Dube-Ncube.  The two boards have for a long time been rendered a paradise for tenderpreneurs which were feeding on the boards with impunity. We hope that there will be a forensic investigation to look at the alleged plunder of these boards. The SACP appeals to all good citizens of the province to support the move to clean these boards.

The SACP noted the developments around the shocking deployment of Zandile Gumede to the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature. This SACP is not surprised by the large outcry on this unfortunate decision. The matter of Zandile Gumede dates back from her days as a councillor in Ward 53 in eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. We must be reminded of Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Report which recommended the removal of Zandile Gumede after an objection of the community of the ward on the election of the councillor there. It was then followed by EThekwini Conference fiasco which led to her deployment as eThekwini Metro Mayor and her subsequent demotion from being a Mayor because of matters pertaining to underperformance. Now this shocked deployment. We want to categorically state that the SACP is not against Zandile Gumede as a person, but her flawed deployment is a matter of serious concern. It has always broken all rules and undermined the discipline of the ruling party, the ANC. We must say that there are many similar cases in the province. We expect the leadership of the ANC to be sensitive to the outcry on the deployment of Zandile Gumede.

In conclusion, the SACP in Moses Mabhida supports the clarion call by the ANC President, Cyril Ramaphosa issued to all members on Sunday. We appeal to all members of the alliance to heed this call. The Party is calling all comrades in the ANC, COSATU, SACP and the broader Mass Democratic Movement (MDM) structures to close ranks unite and stand up to wage a fight against this marauding gangs appropriating the gains of our revolution. Fighting rogue elements within our midst were carried out successfully through the UDF structures during the apartheid era such success can be multiplied several times during now in the democratic dispensation.

The PEC concluded that the situation as it is, condemns the working-class and the poor communities to a state of hopelessness and misery. All that the people of South Africa struggled for over decades is now being enjoyed by the greedy few through a collaboration of political elite and scrupulous business gangsters. The worst part is the erosion of democratic processes in the organisations where they are supposed to get a platform to participate in their hard-fought rights to decide on their development and their future.

We will call for a meeting between us and the ANC in the Province in order to address all these concerns amicably.
We thank you.
ISSUED BY THE SACP MOSES MABHIDA (KZN) PROVINCE
For more information, contact:
Sifiso Gwala
Provincial Spokesperson
064 907 0498
sifisogwala@gmail.com
Nomcebo Msomi
Media Liaison Officer
076 969 5897
msomi.nomcebo@gmail.com

We do not accept this U.N SEIAS – SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT SYSTEM REPORT AS IT IS NOT A TRUE REFLECTION OF THE ACTUAL CONDITIONS IN OUR COUNTRY. THERE IS NO BATHO PELE- PEOPLE FIRST – PRINCIPLES FOR A CONNIVED REPORT THAT ALLOWS EXPROPRIATION WITHOUT COMPENSATION.

WE HAVE NOT BEEN AT ALL CONSULTED IN TERMS OF THE FIRST BATHO PELE – PEOPLE FIRST  PRINCIPLES IN SOUTH AFRICA WHICH IS CONSULTATION AND THERE ARE 34 SECTORS OF MAIN BUSINESS AND ALSO 34 OF THE BUSINESS CHAMBERS THAT WERE NOT ENGAGED.

THE UNITED NATIONS IS NOT THE VOICE OF EITHER THE PEOPLE: BUSINESS OR PUBLIC OPINION OR EVEN CIVIL SOCIETY OR THE 80% CHRISTIAN MAJORITY AND THIS REPORT IS NEITHER A TRUE REFLECTION OR HAS AN OUNCE OF VALIDITY TO IT AND IS NOT ACCEPTED!!

Download the UNDP – Socioeconomic Impact Assessment: