Cape Town - The South African Communist Party (SACP) says it has lodged a complaint with the Independent Electoral Commission against a letter, circulating on social media, claiming that the party has back-tracked on its decision not to participate in the local government elections.
The party claimed on Tuesday, in a statement, that the letter contained a forged signature of its general secretary, Blade Nzimande and fake characteristics of the party’s symbols and letterhead.
It said the letter is being used by “charlatans” and warned that it will bring charges against anyone who engages in identity theft and electoral fraud using the party’s name and or that of its officials.
It added that those it suspects are involved in the writing of the letter, who are from Alfred Nzo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape, are not its members.
The party, which is an alliance with the ANC and Cosatu, said it had removed its name from the ballot in accordance with its constitution and political programme.
In recent months the SACP’s leaders have publicly stated their support for the ANC in the local government elections.
Nzimande rallied his support for the party’s alliance party at the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union’s central executive committee meeting at the weekend.
Labour Bureau