On the outcomes of a meeting with Cde Mzoleli Mrara
The South African Communist Party (SACP) in the Eastern Cape, true to its tradition of keeping its word, had a meeting of the provincial officials and received a detailed report from Cde Mzoleli Mrara, ANC Chief Whip and SACP Provincial Chairperson.
The meeting was held with him in his capacity as the Provincial Chairperson of the SACP as the allegations were damaging to the SACP standing in society. The meeting was extended to Provincial Executive Committee members of the Party, comrades Koliswa Fihlani, Mpumelo Saziwa, Luthando Buso, Fundile Gade and Pumeza Mpushe. After a comprehensive discussion of comrade Mrara’s presentation the meeting agreed on the following:
On the allegations of nepotism, the meeting agreed that:
Whilst the appointment of a researcher in the Legislature appeared to have been without comrade Mrara’s direct involvement in the panel or appeal’s process, the employment of a person close to him in his office is against our own communist revolutionary morality and is viewed as unethical and should not have happened.
The meeting accepted comrade Mrara’s personal circumstances as it relates to his child and expressed regret from his part for the harm caused. The meeting expressed its appreciation for the protection of the rights of children born out of wedlock, but agreed that, although we understood his predicament as a responsible parent, nothing can justify any unethical conduct.
Comrade Mrara committed to consult relevant stakeholders in his place of employment with a view of finding an amicable resolution of issues in conflict, as an expectation from an SACP cadre.
On the allegations of the abuse of public funds.
Having considered all the documents including Eastern Cape Legislature policies and vouchers, we could not find any evidence for the abuse of public funds as reported in the Saturday Dispatch of the 13 June 2015.
The costs incurred were in line with what was permitted for any member of the legislature and that tickets used were used for listed beneficiaries using annual allocated tickets to a Member of the Provincial Legislator like all members of the legislature. Again at the dates of December 2014 where he was reported to be on holiday he was never on holiday but attended the YCL National congress as part of SACP delegation, so we know he was not on any holiday.
What we also found to be factually incorrect in the Daily Dispatch report is the claim of the existence of wrong doing from comrade Mrara since 2009 citing the above December trip and yet comrade Mrara became the Chief Whip only in August of 2013.
For a detailed response on this specific allegation, comrade Mrara will in few days issue a statement expressing his regret on the perceived acts of nepotism and explain the incorrectness of the accusations of misuse of public funds.
As the SACP, we are satisfied with the steps we have taken and commit to remain true to our consistence in dealing with the matters of this nature irrespective of who is involved and trust that our allies will do the same.
Statement issued by Siyabonga Mdodi, SACP Eastern Cape Provincial Spokesperson, June 17 2015
