Communists+dismiss+14+independent+candidates



=Communists dismiss 14 independent candidates=

There are fears that divisions within the alliance might spread in Limpopo

 * The Star, Johannesburg, January 26, 2006**


 * By Lebogang Seale**

Further cracks have appeared in the tripartite alliance in Limpopo with 14 South African Communist Party members being expelled from the party.

SACP provincial secretary Justice Piitso said yesterday that the party had resolved to immediately terminate the membership of all people who opted to stand as independent candidates in the up-coming local government elections.

Of the 14 members fired, 13 were among the 29 ward councillors in the Greater Sekhukhune district into which Mpumalanga's Moutse ward was incorporated into Limpopo. The 14th member is from Capricorn district in Polokwane.

The SACP members' decision to go it alone comes fresh in the wake of fellow members in Mookgopong, formerly Naboomspruit, to contest as independent candidates in the March 1 elections.

There are now fears that the divisions within the alliance could spread to other districts in the province, threatening to paralyse the three-party partnership in one of its strongholds.

At the centre of the decision by SACP candidates in Sekhukhune to stand as independents was the long standing dispute over the Moutse cross-border. Most people there were opposed to the move, with the backing of the SACP.

Moutse SACP branch secretary Maledimo Motjwakgole, one of the members who had their membership terminated, remained defiant and laughed off at the party's decision to expel them.

"Some of our members received calls from the Limpopo provincial secretary, saying we must withdraw our intentions to contest as independent candidates. We have nothing to do with the SACP in Limpopo, because we belong in Mpumalanga. We don't even recognise them," he said.

"Until this issue of cross-border municipalities is resolved, we have nothing to do with them," he added.

Moutse SACP district chairperson Motiba Rampisa had even harsher words for the party in Limpopo.

He said their decision to stand independently was an expression of their anger at persistent statements that they had been incorporated into Limpopo.

"We are not worried about their threats (of expulsion). Our constituency, which is all the people opposed to incorporation, is waiting to tear and burn their T-shirts once they inform us officially of their decision."

Williard Sefara, SACP branch secretary for Morogoro, in Sekhukhune, was undeterred by the threats from the provincial leadership.

"We are not intending, but are already standing as independent candidates, separate from the ANC. Our decision was taken three weeks ago."

He launched a scathing attack on the ANC in the district and province for creating factions within the alliance and undermining the SACP.

Sefara also took a swipe at the ANC for sidelining SACP members, for poor service delivery and deserting the people by moving to up-market suburbs. "The SACP in the district was not invited during the nominations of candidates for the elections, which is against our agreement to work closely."

However, Piitso accused members standing independently as "ill-disciplined and counter-revolutionary".

Limpopo ANC secretary Cassel Mathale said the SACP members were effectively dismissing themselves from the ANC.

"If a SACP member decides to stand as an independent candidate, it's obvious that he was contesting against the ANC. That is equivalent to self-dismissal from the ANC."

Mathale reiterated Piitso's stance on cross-borders, saying the issue was not about boundaries, but "about positions and careerists".


 * From: http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=129&fArticleId=3083322**

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