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The South African Communist Party (SACP) in the Free State Province held its 10th Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) ordinary plenary session of its 7th Provincial Congress in Bloemfontein on 9 February 2020. This plenary session received and discussed political inputs from our Party Central Committee and the Provincial Secretariat.

The PEC also paid detailed attention and reflections on the state of the organisation informed by the organisational report and feedback on the recently held SACP 4th Special National Congress. As part of the organisational renewal drive of the Party, the PEC agreed that Districts due for Congresses should hold their District Congresses by the end of this first quarter. The PEC will thereafter convene the 8th Provincial Congress during the second quarter to account to structures of the Party, renew the mandate and intensify the implementation of the political programme of the Party.

The PEC agreed to consolidate several provincial discussion papers that will form part of discussions in the run up to these Congresses. These discussion papers will focus on unity and reconfiguration of the Alliance within the context of rebuilding our movement; state of local government and governance in the province, and the political economy of the Free State.

Access to water is a fundamental human right – the water crisis in the province requires well-coordinated efforts

The PEC appreciated the consistent and selfless efforts led by the SACP in Thabo Mofutsanyana District over the years, working collaboratively with communities to demand sustainable provision of water in Qwaqwa. It is unfortunate that it took the drowning of a young girl and the total shutdown of Qwaqwa for the water crisis to receive belated attention. The SACP once again expresses its condolences to the Mbele family for their painful loss.

The PEC remains convinced that the unwillingness to resolve the water crisis in Qwaqwa was machinated and influenced by possible personal benefits arising from the tenderisation of water supply. These tenders must still be investigated for possible corruption. The SACP accepts the use of government water tankers only and strictly as a temporary relief mechanism to communities. The primary focus must be on sustainable provision of water via taps. A sustainable solution that relies on the abundant water resources from the three dams within Maluti-A-Phofung must be prioritised.

The PEC believes that since Thabo Mofutsanyana District is a designated Presidential Nodal point, the presidency should oversee and coordinate all governmental efforts, drawing in expert advice and consolidating all resource requirements, to speedily resolve this water crisis in Qwaqwa. The PEC believes such a centralised coordination, with links to an inclusive community multi-stakeholder reference group would enable immediate and speedier implementation of interventions aimed at ensuring provision of clean water to communities via taps.

The SACP will further engage the ANC to establish a supplementary Alliance team that must monitor implementation and ensure that its deployees aid, rather than hamper, the success of the interventions. This team is necessary because the water crisis is widespread across the province and not limited to Qwaqwa. Further, urgent attention is required in areas such as Jaggersfontein, Parys, Kroonstad, and Kerstel that either do not have access to water or have highly polluted water.

Detailed assessment and decisive actions required to turn around municipalities to serve communities selflessly

The PEC received a summary report on the ANC lekgotla from the SACP delegation. The PEC accepted some of the broad framework and thematic areas arising from the lekgotla. However, the PEC is convinced that the state of our municipalities and governance in general across the province requires a comprehensive and frank assessment and decisive actions, including consequence management, if any commendable turnaround is to be realised.

In this regard, the PEC reiterated its decision that an Alliance summit focusing on the state of each municipality and governance in our province remains a necessity. Our municipalities are plunged in crisis one after the other, leading to the continued weakening of the standing of our movement in society. The PEC believes that the Alliance, which must be thoroughly reconfigured, capacitated and empowered, has a responsibility to act decisively to turn the state of our local state and governance around.

Congratulations to SACP PEC member, Dr Phera, for obtaining his PHD

The SACP PEC congratulated its PEC member Dr Molefinyana Phera for successfully obtaining his PHD. This is an important milestone and motivation that others, especially young activists, must emulate.

Condolences to YCLSA Provincial Chairperson

The PEC also expressed condolences to the Provincial Chairperson of the YCLSA, Comrade Jobere Makobe, and his family for the loss of his wife.

Issued by the SACP Free State Province