The South African Communist Party in Gauteng resolved on Sunday to suspend with immediate effect five District Executive Committee members implicated in the Tshwane unrest.
“They will be notified of their suspension before the end of the week… members will be charged with bringing the good name of the SACP in disrepute,” the SACP said in a statement.
The SACP also said it noted that the recent and renewed wave of violence in Tshwane was a continuation of the divisions and factionalism that dates back to 2011.
“This was when the structures of the ANC held parallel regional conferences with each electing its own leadership. To our knowledge the root cause and effects of this strange phenomenon of two parallel regional conferences were never thoroughly attended to. “
The SACP also congratulated ANC Tshwane mayoral candidate Thoko Didiza for her nomination. The protests were sparked by the announcement of her nomination.
“Comrade Thoko is a well-known, time tested militant and revolutionary leader of our movement,” it said.
Earlier on Sunday, the Democratic Alliance accused the ANC of putting politicians above ordinary people during the recent unrest in Tshwane following a report that police were told to protect minister’s homes in the city.
City Press reported on Sunday that while the protests raged in Tshwane this past week, police were told to focus on protecting the Union Buildings, ministers’ homes and national key points in the capital.
A new intelligence report has recounted how the country’s spies believe violence sparked by the ANC’s nominations process has placed free and fair elections at risk, the Sunday newspaper disclosed.
The report, presented to the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster of ministers by Minister of State Security David Mahlobo on Tuesday, revealed the elections risked being “delegitimised” following violence and protests – associated with the nominations – that had ignited in 80 wards and towns across eight provinces.
At least five people died last week after violent protests erupted in parts of Tshwane.
Some residents said they wanted current Mayor Kgosientso ‘Sputla’ Ramokgopa to be the candidate. – News24