SACP STATEMENT ON THE CONDUCT OF PROTESTERS OUTSIDE LUTHULI HOUSE
The SACP and its leadership have sought not to comment and keep its distance, correctly so, form internal processes of the ANC. We have however as the SACP noted the disgusting conduct of some of the protesters of gathered to show their support to the ANC YL President currently facing disciplinary hearing in the ANC.
The SACP has as well noted a well orchestrated desperate campaign in the media to link the SACP leaders to these processes. This lie is extremely unfortunate and indicative of apartheid era operatives tactics that sought to always portray the ANC leadership as being controlled by the SACP and/or communists.
It is not an accident that this allegation has reared its ugly head. This is the work of those who have caved in politically and are prepared to perfidy the SACP and its leadership at all cost. The media will be wheedled and fed all manners of lies in this agenda by the wedge drivers who thrive on creating instability in the alliance generally.
The SACP is extremely offended by the burning of the poster bearing the face of the General Secretary as this feeds into this anti-communist agenda. This is an extreme form of provocation that can only be spearheaded by reactionary and counter-revolutionary forces who have no space in our movement. For years communists have been persecuted for their principled stance on issues confronting society and even in this current period of our revolution, history will be the judge.
In history all reactionary elements who adopted anti-communist stance only succeeded in driving themselves into political oblivion. The alliance remains strong and united. The ANC led alliance remains committed to the fight against poverty, inequality, unemployment, exploitation and corruption. For these the SACP will participate and mobilise our people in a principled fashion. Communist have remained principled in the unity of the alliance and the progressive forces including for progressive internationalism.
The SACP further condemns the burning of ANC symbols, t-shirts and posters bearing the face of the ANC President and Secretary General by the protesters. Equally we condemn the intimidation of journalists, the attack on hawkers, vandalising cars and people's property. It is unacceptable that we express our love for leaders in this fashion. It is also incorrect that those who support the ANC YL President wish to use the run up to Polokwane as a justification for their conduct.
The run up to Polokwane was characterised by a principled fight and mobilisation against the abuse of state institutions to settle political scores. To try and create a mirror image of that ostensibly aimed at blackmailing the ANC President to allow the organisation to be characterised by a free for all mentality is opportunistic especially from the side of those who are clandestinely supporting this agenda.
The attempts to invade Luthuli House and creating a sense of siege against the movement is condemned in the strongest possible terms by the SACP. This has never happened since the last attempts we saw by the IFP some years back. This mutinous behaviour is reactionary and counter-revolutionary and flies against all what the movement represents and stands for. The SACP will seek to engage the ANC on these matters.
The SACP calls for calm and total respect of the ANC process, a process we wish not to interfere with in line with respecting the independence of our ally the ANC. Inciting the ordinary people to resort to violence in order to get your own way in the organisation is incorrect and cannot be tolerated. We should not confuse militancy for anarchy or disorder for democracy. We hope the ANC will act decisively to quell this and restore the authority of the organisation as opposed to individual and personality cult.
Statement issued by the SACP, August 30 2011
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