SACP: Gauteng SACP calls for cities of Johannesburg and Tshwane to be urgently places under administration

2nd October 2017

SACP: Gauteng SACP calls for cities of Johannesburg and Tshwane to be urgently places under administration

The South African Communist Party (SACP) in Gauteng Province held a Provincial Working Committee (PWC) meeting yesterday in Johannesburg.

The PWC analysed and assessed the current class balance of forces, focusing on the state of the revolutionary forces led by the Alliance of ANC, SACP, COSATU and SANCO. It also analysed and assessed a series of contradictions within the Imperialist sponsored reactionary forces.

Following the analysis and assessment, the PWC resolved as follows:

Inevitable implosion and crisis in the Cities of Johannesburg and Tshwane

We noted the inevitable reality that the opportunistic and unprincipled coalition between the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the two Cities has finally reached a dead end, thus hanging the two municipalities in the air.

We believe that the series of Council meetings that failed to form the required quorum only serves to confirm the reality and truth that the horses have long bolted.

We are convinced that at this rate of chaos and collapse in the meetings of the Councils in the two municipalities, the crisis is now permanent and therefore urgent intervention is required. It is in this context that we therefore make a call for the two municipalities to be placed under Administration in line with Section 139 (1)(b) of the Constitution.

We believe that these two municipalities must be placed on terms, by asking them to show cause and provide reasons as to why the current crisis of failed Council sittings should not be treated as the status quo without any chance of improvement.

We believe that the DA should also be requested to table steps and measures that they will take to improve the situation. We are confident that the DA in the two municipalities will find it extremely difficult and almost impossible to provide evidence and proof that the municipalities can still function effectively and efficiently to execute their constitutional mandate and legislative requirements.

It is clear that in case the DA was to be placed on terms, it requires the firm and solid commitment of the EFF to function effectively and efficiently. At this rate of the implosion and crisis, we do not think that the DA can present a convincing and strong case that will stand the test of time.

We believe that in case the two “municipalities” were to provide any semblance of “reasons” and justify their continued stay in office, such will provide a scientific basis to make a determination on the way forward. We believe that failure to immediately commence with these legislative processes and necessary actions may be perceived as being tantamount to legitimising failed and clearly collapsed municipalities.

We make this call also taking into account the fact that since their inception through a crooked device of coalition between these extreme strange bedfellows, the two “municipalities” have failed dismally to provide quality services to the people.

2017 Red October Campaign, intensifying the battle against corporate capture

The PWC received a report on the state of preparations and readiness towards the national opening rally of the 2017 Red October Campaign. Preparations are at an advanced stage, and it’s all systems go. The Red October national opening rally will commence with a Soviet Union Remembrance Walk (Red Carnival), celebrating the centenary (100 years) of the Great October Socialist Revolution and the contribution and sacrifices made by the Soviet Union to our national liberation and democracy.

The Soviet Union Remembrance Walk (Red Carnival), starting at 10h00 from Constitutional Hill, will end at the Johannesburg City Hall with a national rally to receive a Key-note address from our most beloved General Secretary, Dr Blade Nzimande starting at 11h00. These activities will be dedicated to the struggle against the Triple Oppression of Women and the struggle against gender based violence.

The PWC also resolved that in the true spirit and memory of the Great October Socialist Revolution and the sacrifices made by the people of the Soviet Union, we should intensify the fight against the corporate capture of the state.

We therefore agreed that inspired by the Great October Socialist Revolution, this month should be effectively used to push back the frontiers of corporate capture. In this regard, we agreed on turning October month Red, thus consolidating and building on the momentum set by the successful and most militant Cosatu march last week. We therefore agreed on the following Red October activities:

1. The Re-launch of Qina Msebenzi/Tia Mosomi Election Campaign with Cosatu, focusing on decent work to be held in Johannesburg, Devland ABI (Coca-Cola) plant on Friday, 6th October 2017.

2. Picket at the head offices of KPMG, an agent of Guptarisation in our country, picket to be held on Monday, 16th October 2017 at KPMG Offices in Parktown. We will also a call for government institutions, particularly State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to cut ties with KPMG as a matter of principle but also extreme urgency.

3. Picketing at National Treasury as part of the Financial Sector Campaign and working closely with Communications Workers Union (CWU) to transform the Post Office into a State Bank. We firmly and strongly believe that the demand by CWU and our historic principle for the Post Office to be transformed into a State Bank constitute the most radical socio-economic transformation demand post April 1994. We will also use the picket to intensify our demand that the Post Office functioning as a State Bank should be recapitalized to pay social grants and take over the contract with Cash Paymaster Services and its parent company Net 1. Our picket at National Treasury will also serve to fight corporate capture of the state. The picket will take place on Monday, 23rd  October 2017.

4. The Symposium on the Soviet Union, its experiences, lessons learned and implications for socialism in our country, taking into account former SACP General Secretary, comrade Joe Slovo’s pamphlet, Has Socialism Failed? The Symposium will be addressed by a panel comprising seasoned comrades such as comrades Jeremy Cronin, SACP Central Committee member and Joel Netshitenzhe, ANC NEC member (depending on their availability) to be held at Cosatu House, Sunday, 29th October 2017, 10h00.

 

Issued by the SACP