Correspondence sent to History Matters shows divisions in the SACP

Correspondence between Blade Nzimande, Solly Mapaila and Philip Dexter received by History Matters and published here today gives new insights into divisions in the SACP.

History Matters has received correspondence between Blade Nzimande (GC SACP), Solly Mapaila (National Organiser SACP) and Philip Dexter (suspended former SACP treasurer) ostensibly relating to the ongoing saga of Dexter’s suspension from the SACP. Like much of political life these days, it offers another prism through which to perceive the national debate.

Phillip Dexter has confirmed that this correspondence is authentic. Niether Solly Mapaila nor Blade Nzimande have responded to requests for comment.

The specific background is that Dexter was suspended a week before the party’s conference last year at which he was to have presented a report on the party’s finances. The report was never presented. The suspension was to last for a year.

The correspondence relates to the Politburo’s intention to continue the suspension for a further period because, according to Nzimande’s covering letter, Dexter has failed to adhere to the conditions of his suspension. In response, Dexter points out that the charges are so vague as to be meaningless and flout due process. He contests that his suspension was ever conditional. Dexter has also written a 4-page letter to Nzimande in which he accuses him of hypocracy and deceit, mainly on account of Nzimande’s vocal support of due process in the Zuma saga, but abandonment of the same in the disciplinary procedures of the SACP. His letter to Nzimande is copied to Gwede Mantashe, Jeremy Cronin, Pumulo Masualle, and Benedict Martins. He also comments on suggestions of corruption relating to two separate donations to the party, of R500 000 and R600 000 which never made it to the treasurer’s office. All three letters can be downloaded in a single file (PDF, 368kb).

The larger background of course is the deepening division within the SACP. Nzimande is accused of clamping down on debate within the party and purging those who don’t toe the line, which includes among other features, unwavering support for Jacob Zuma. Other former leaders that have fallen foul of the party include Mazibuko Jara and, as we’ve seen on this blog, Raymond Suttner.

Elsewhere on this blog, you can read Blade Nzimande’s article Justice is Indivisible, Raymond Suttner’s reply to Nzimande, and Mervyn Bennun’s commentry on the growing debate. I particularly recommend Bennun’s piece, it is an excellent analysis.

These letters will certainly fuel this debate and we publish them because we feel it is important that this debate is encouraged.

For more background, several press articles and op-ed pieces give a fuller picture:

Hammer, no sickle (M&G Editorial, 13 July 2007)

Crunch time for the SACP (City Press, 7 July 2007)

SACP purges its finance chief (City Press, 23 June 2007)

SACP divided on Zuma (M&G, 21 April 2006)