Comrades,
Sweeping this issue under the carpet is not the way to go. Those of us who are members in good standing of the SACP have the right to request our leader to reconsider his decision, in terms of the Basic Organisational Principles of our SACP Constitution.. Comrade Dominic's pathetic arguments hold no water at all, and refuses to respond to facts that were presented (like vehicles that were used by Gauteng Legislature and Comrade Joe Slovo - that did not affect their ability to perform their duties or put their security at risk). As communists, we should set standards that hold us above others if we are serious about attaining our goal. When Comrade Blade resigned as a Member of Parliament to become General Secretary of the SACP after Comrade Joe Slovo's passing, was a very exciting and inspirational time in the SACP. I can still remember his inauguration speech at the old Johannesburg City Hall (now the Gauteng Legislature). Now, as still the full time General Secretary of the SACP, he has accepted a post as Minister, while still retaining his position as full-time General Secretary of the SACP. Then he approves the purchase of a vehicle to a value that the majority of workers do not earn (in total) in their lifetimes. Note that this vehicle will need to be replaced before the end of his 5 year term according to current Government policy. Will it be replaced with a vehicle of similar value?..............probably more. If we do not stop this trend that seems to be emerging, we are doomed as a Communist Party. As Communists, we are obligated to always measure decisions or policies observed against our Constitution. This is a situation where Comrade Blade has the opportunity to exercise his own discretion, as a Communist. He is not bound by any policy or decision of the ANC or Government. Kind Regards, Trevor Joseph Mobile: +27 82 946 3877 Fax: +27 86 606 2130 Email: [email protected] From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Tuis Dumisani Sent: 09 September 2009 10:47 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [YCLSA Discussion] Re: JOINT SACP AND COSATU pathetic STATEMENT I think Cde Morgan you have summarized everything and you are more than correct and I think its high time we lay this discussion to rest and focus on nation building issues. Dumisani Tuis- Court Manager Department of Justice & Constitutional Development- Victoria West Office Tel: 053-6210007 Fax: 0865070204 Cell: 0736430439 "The possibility that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just"- Abraham Lincoln _____ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of morgan phaahla Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2009 10:10 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [YCLSA Discussion] Re: JOINT SACP AND COSATU pathetic STATEMENT Comrades, I wish to express a view that differs from what I'd term personal attack on the signatories of the joint SACP and COSATU statement. First and foremost, the whole issue was not properly handled within the structures and poor communication led to this fiasco. Secondly and lastly, a wrong impression was created that other ministers are security-risk than others. In the whole, it created a fertile ground for opposition forces and adversaries to jump on the bandwagon to score cheap political points. This is also not time to apportion blame or liability to any person as it will not serve any purpose. Moving forward from here, we need to acknowledge inconsistencies and wrong impression created by uninformed public statements issued by Alliance components in dealing with the issue of ministers acquiring new vehicles to enhance their duties and wellbeing (security or otherwise). No amount of spin will change this public relations disaster. We are in this together, comrades! In the true spirit of comradeship, the SACP and COSATU found fault in the utterances and statements made in relation to this matter, including the wrong perception all of this has caused in the public domain. Hence, a joint statement to clear a thick air of confusion and I wish to commend them for taking responsibility in this regard. Now comrades, it's time revamp our communication machinery and spin-doctoring strategies rather than calling for someone's resignation. The latter will create a precedence where individuals take a fall for the mess caused by the entire leadership. We cannot allow such a thing - pointing fingers at each other will destroy this movement. Let's not deny when we know the root cause of the problem. We are not living in an ideal world but a society plagued with all sort of problems. Problems will always be there but the challenge facing us is whether we're willing to recognise such problems or deny their existence. The whole brouhaha about minister's expensive cars is just a storm in a teacup - it will subside with time. It's for us to learn not to take things for granted, and go back to the drawing broad. To this end, I disagree with the notion that Patrick Craven must resign - he is not representing his own pocket unless those who hold this view can substantiate what they actually mean. In closing, the alliance needs to start speaking in one language rather sending signals of division that does not even exist. Let's hold leadership accountable and remind them to watch what they say in public. Their conscience must also remind them of the objectives of the election manifesto. Remain yours comradely, Morgan Phaahla Ekurhuleni "Sometimes, if you wear suits for too long, it changes your ideology." - Joe Slovo --- On Wed, 9/9/09, Dominic Tweedie <[email protected]> wrote: From: Dominic Tweedie <[email protected]> Subject: [YCLSA Discussion] Re: JOINT SACP AND COSATU pathetic STATEMENT To: [email protected] Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2009, 1:30 AM A BMW 7-Series is not an extravagance. A BMW 7-series is not "bling". This car is a good, practical choice for a minister in a large country like ours. It is a car that is designed for this kind of duty. It is a working piece of machinery. This matter should have been left with the DA, and allowed to die of its own accord, because it is essentially nonsense. If this particular media release was intended to quieten the story down, then it was not very well thought through. Of course, in the intention of one of the signatories, it was not actually intended to quieten things down. It was designed to add fuel to the flames. It raises new questions. Why does the national minister have to "express regret" for selecting a suitable tool for the job? Why does COSATU feel itself to be in a position to "accept this apology", on behalf of the nation? Why should COSATU's "acceptance of apology" not be called arrogance of the highest order? When, precisely, did the minister "express regret", and in what capacity did he do so? Just before the last Congress of COSATU, the liar Willie Madisha started a story about COSATU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi using his credit card, or some such nonsense. We fought hard to defend Vavi against the liar, and we did defend Vavi successfully. Now, just before the COSATU and SACP Congresses, Vavi's handlanger Craven - the one who always "can't understand" - has started a smear campaign against SACP General Secretary Blade Nzimande. Or in fact did not even start it, but picked it up where the DA had left it. I would like to see Craven's apology now, or better still, his resignation. This is not a good time for liberals who "fail to understand" to be fiddling and fooling around with the reputations of serious people. VC JOINT SACP AND COSATU STATEMENT The SACP and COSATU wish to dismiss reports of supposed rift between our two organisations stemming from COSATU's views on the issue of the procurement of Ministerial vehicles. Media reports on this have sought to pit COSATU and the SACP against each other, hinting that, in expressing its view that vehicles over R1m should be returned, COSATU had "turned on" the SACP General Secretary, Cde Blade Nzimande. The fraternal bonds between our two organisations have withstood time and many testing issues, and will never be shaken as long as we share a strong commitment to advancing the interests of the working class. The strength of our relationship allows for open engagement and the holding of different views from time to time. In this regard we accept that, while the purchase of the vehicle was handled by officials of the Department of Higher Education and Training, Cde Blade Nzimande in his capacity as Minister should have taken a more hands-on approach to ensure a more cost effective procurement. We also accept that any vehicle purchased for use by Cde Blade needs to take into account VIP Protection security requirements. Cde Blade has already expressed regret for any offence caused by this matter and COSATU accepts this apology. We will await a response on behalf of the Cabinet collective regarding the vehicles. COSATU and the SACP will continue to work together in assisting our government to improve control over government expenditure. Malesela Maleka SACP Spokesperson - 082 226 1802 Patrick Craven COSATU Spokesperson - 082 821 7456 --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. 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