SACP accuses ANC of 'running away' from alliance summit
The South African Communist Party (SACP) is once again discussing the possibility of breaking away from the tripartite alliance amid the political turmoil the ANC finds itself in.
Deputy General Secretary Jeremy Cronin has lashed out at the ANC for failing to lead the alliance, saying three of the four alliance partners have called for President Jacob Zuma to step down.
"The ANC in unable to convene an alliance political council. That was perhaps one of the most critical mechanisms that we developed out of the Polokwane process. The ANC keeps setting dates and then running away from the dates," says Cronin
Cronin says they need to unify the alliance to address the issues of unemployment, poverty, inequality, violence and state capture.
"Parts of the ANC leadership don't want to come into a forum in which three out of the four components are politely saying President Zuma must step down," says Cronin.
Cronin has put several situations before the congress, asking what could happen if they run alone in elections and what could happen when the ANC holds its elective conference in December.
"What happens if the Premier League slate wins through hook or crook in December? What happens? Is there perhaps a massive split in the ANC? I mean certainly it's going to be very hard for the majority of us to remain in ANC position under an gangster leadership," says Cronin.
Cronin has asked whether delegates, who do not want to be part of an ANC led by the Premier League, would vote for the SACP.
"Maybe? It would be great if they did, but are we sure what would happen," says Cronin.
Cronin has also asked what would happen to Cosatu and the workers if the SACP goes at it alone.
"If we mobilise separately from an ANC ticket, do we unite the working class beginning with Cosatu, or do we divide it? We must answer that not flatfooted, not timidly - we must have the courage of our convictions, but we must also rationally and carefully answer that question," says Cronin.