Former Northern Cape Premier’s court sentence

The South African Communist Party welcomes the stiff sentence of 15 years handed down to former Northern Cape African National Congress premier John Bloch. While the SACP respects the right to appeal, it is saddened, at one level, of course, to see former activists enmeshed in criminal activity and ending up in jail.

However, it is absolutely essential, not least for the moral standing of the ANC and the Alliance, that the criminal justice system pursues wrongdoing without fear or favour and that a powerful lesson is sent: 

No-one is above the law.

In particular, as Alliance formations that can be proud of our struggle history, we should be in the forefront of ensuring that anyone who claims to represent our legacy, anyone who wears our colours, must not merely observe the law but actively set the highest moral example as defined in revolutionary terms.

Statement issued by the SACP, 11 December 2016