YCLSA Gauteng Province Provincial Working Committee statement

Thursday, 31 May 2012

The Young Communist League of South Africa [uFasimba] in the province of Gauteng convened yesterday, 30 May 2012 in the ordinary session of the Provincial Working Committee (PWC). The PWC assessed organisational progress in implementing decisions of our 3rd Congress Provincial Executive Committee as the YCLSA in Gauteng and resolutions of our 3rd Provincial Congress held November 2011 in building a strong, vibrant and activist Marxist-Leninist vanguard formation of all young people. Preparing for the 4th Plenary Session of our 3rd Congress PEC which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 2 June 2012, the PWC first and foremost considered the political situation as a standard procedure in Marxist-Leninist formations. The PWC would like to publicly communicate two important areas of its decisions.

Allegations against MEC of local government and housing:

As the YCLSA we are deeply concerned about the allegations pertaining MEC for local government and housing Mr Humphrey Mmemezi.

It has been alleged by The Star in a series of articles that Mr Mmemezi:

1. abused tens of thousands of rands in government credit card in South Africa and India;

2. failed to produce an accident report after being involved in an accident on November 11last year in KwaZulu-Natal while using a government vehicle BMW X5;

3. senior staff members in the department have been compelled to auction this government vehicle after the insurance declined to repair it; and

4. a hostile labour relations regime has emerged under Mr Mmemezi in the department.

The PWC welcomed and endorsed the leadership direction provided by the African National Congress that the allegations be referred to the integrity committee. The PWC also welcomed a parallel process implemented by the executive authority in terms of which the premier is reportedly awaiting a report from Mr Mmemezi. As the YCLSA we are looking forward to these processes. Only if a need arises the allegations may have to be referred to other authorities including the Public Protector.

The PWC further endorsed plans to meet with the office of the premier not only with regards to these allegations but also important matters of economic and youth development perspectives that we have as the YCLSA.

We will support our allies in particular the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) in confronting brutal labour relations regime if indeed that has emerged.

We remain firm that corruption must be dealt with decisively wherever and whenever it is proven with related allegations attended to just in time. Measures and systems to prevent corruption must also be strengthened from time to time on the basis of a constant risk analysis to safeguard the success of the national democratic revolution. One of the dangers facing this revolution is corruption and self-enrichment from ascendency to positions of leadership.

Freedom of speech and dignity, racism and chauvinism:

The PWC thanks all YCLSA members who participated in the demonstrations that took place at the South Gauteng High Court and Goodman Gallery. This was in support of the freedom of dignity of President Jacob Zuma following it violated through the insulting work by one Brett Murry. In particular this participation was in defence of the freedom of dignity as one of the fundamental principles enshrined in our country’s constitution. The PWC condemned to so-called artwork by Mr Murray to the contempt it warrants.

As the YCLSA we shall strengthen our support for President Jacob Zuma and freedom of dignity. We condemn in strongest terms the cheap popularity seeking politics of one Cope President Terror Lekota who sought to attack the president in parliament yesterday. We condemn the racist and liberal chose and pick approach on our country’s constitution, in particular the idea that the freedom of speech and artistic expression is the license to violate the freedom of dignity of others.

The PEC condemned the violent manner in which Mr Lowie Mabokela was arrested. In defence of freedom of dignity Mr Mobokela allegedly made what the PWC characterised as valuable artistic additions to the so-called artwork by Mr Brett Murray. The violent arrest of Mr Mabokela and the peaceful arrest of Mr Barend la Grange typifies how Africans in particular and Black people in general are still treated in our country on the basis of racial discrimination. Like Mr Mabokela, Mr la Grange also allegedly made valuable artistic additions to the so-called artwork.

Opposed to the violence unleashed against Mr Mabokela during his arrest, the PWC resolved to support him during his court appearances. The support will take the form of pickets or if necessary marches.

PWC condemned racism and cautioned against treating the whole fiasco of the so-called artwork by Mr Murry as a black and white racial and chauvinist binary. As illustrated by the alleged action of Mr la Grange, it is clear that there are white people (who could be many for that matter) who do not approve of the conduct of Mr Murray, The City Press, Goodman Gallery and their likes. Similarly, the PWC condemns chauvinistic tendencies that wrongly believe that there are so-called minorities who must have no place in the running of our country including in institutions established for youth development. On the contrary it is racism and chauvinism that do not have a place in the vision of a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society as encapsulated in the Freedom Charter.

We congratulate the ANC-led alliance for handling the matter very well!

Released on behalf of YCLSA Gauteng PWC by the Provincial Secretary:

Alex Mohubetswane Mashilo – 082 9200 308
Provincial Spokesperson:
Matankana Mothapo – 082 7590 900