The general-secretary of the South African Communist Party (SACP), Solly Mapaila, has criticized the behavior of African National Congress (ANC) leaders in selecting partners for its Government of National Unity (GNU). Mapaila stated that the outcomes of the May 29 elections, which led the party to seek coalition partners to govern due to a decline in support, sent a negative message to the working class during the election campaign.
He made these remarks on the sidelines of the SACP’s 103rd anniversary in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, in the Western Cape. He criticized some individuals for choosing to align with capital rather than the people, and expressed disapproval of their attempts to involve his organization in this decision. He stated that they believed this to be a poor political decision and that there could have been a better outcome with a different political choice.
According to Mapaila, the country is now “returning to the crisis of the majority under a capitalist economic system.” On whether the SACP will leave the Alliance, Mapaila says it remains up to the party’s structures to decide on the way forward.
“That’s a decision our structures will have to take. At the moment, we will have to have deeper discussions because the Alliance is not my wish or the wish of any other leader in the movement. We are a dual membership movement,” he adds.
Alliance partner, Cosatu, says in the ongoing class battle, the SACP will remain influential in carrying on the struggle of the poor and working people.
