SACP says selection of those who serve in govt not sole responsibility of ANC

JOHANNESBURG - The South African Communist Party (SACP) said the selection of those who get to serve in government is not the sole responsibility of the African National Congress (ANC).

It’s poured cold water on suggestions that people who belong to the SACP and are in the executive could be at risk of losing their jobs.

This comes as some in the ANC want the organisation to discuss those with membership in both parties in the alliance.

At this week’s ANC national working committee (NWC), it was resolved to take this issue to the national executive in the hope of fleshing out where the ANC stands in the SACP’s quest for state power.

The SACP said that when it comes to government deployments, the ANC doesn’t act in isolation, in contradiction or competition with the rest of the alliance.

This has been one of many sore points in the alliance under the current coalition environment, with the SACP even accusing the ANC of not consulting when it comes to its approach to government.

And now with some NWC members suggesting the ANC could leave behind those with dual membership, the SACP is objecting once more.

The fact that there are people we can think of alliance and deployment action as a territory for the ANC to punish this or that other person or organisation. [Those] who consider it to be the sole function of the ANC is a limited understanding of how we have looked and treated the question of deployment,” said its spokesperson, Mbulelo Ndlazana.

While the NWC wants the ANC to mull over a future of competing with the party for votes, it’s also resolved that the ANC officials must continue engaging the SACP.