SACP won’t support ex-ANC councillors

Sihle Zikalala Photo: Colleen Dardagan

Sihle Zikalala Photo: Colleen Dardagan

Published Jul 29, 2016

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Durban - The SACP in KwaZulu-Natal has turned its back against the so-called “community councillors” - those candidate councillors standing as independents in the municipal elections after unhappiness with the ANC nomination processes.

This, as the ANC down-played an earlier admission that its former members “resorted to being independent candidates out of frustrations with our processes”.

The two parties on thursday held separate press conferences where the issues of independents featured prominently.

About 60 former ANC members are standing as independents in eThekwini Metro in next week’s election.

This came hot on the heels of some SACP members campaigning for “community councillor” Mthetheleli Sibisi in Ward 103, on the west of Durban.

On Wednesday, SACP members campaigned for Sibisi, regional district treasurer, in Inchanga and Cliffdale, the same ward contested by ANC candidate Richard Phewa.

A motorcade of about 50 vehicles, branded in SACP colours, was seen driving around the areas to the delight of residents, many made a clenched-fist salutes.

A praise singer on a loudhailer described Sibisi as a “Tsunami” or “the greatest”. He was heard calling on residents to come in their numbers to vote for Sibisi.

Addressing journalists in Durban on Wednesday, SACP first deputy secretary, Matthews Ndlovu, said they had never instructed anyone to stand or to support any independent candidate.

“The SACP is accordingly campaigning for ANC victory in the August 3 local government elections and has instructed the Independent Electoral Commission to ensure that no unauthorised use of its name occurs on the ballot papers across all municipalities,” said Ndlovu.

He said Sibisi had since been suspended with immediate effect pending an investigation, and also warned SACP members faced discipline upon abusing their name.

“We will follow up on anyone who stands as an independent using the SACP name,” Ndlovu said.

The stance on “community councillors” by the SACP is despite it previously denouncing “imposed” councillors and vowing to back candidates that had the backing of the community.

While Ndlovu maintained that the SACP did not support independents, he insisted that “we don’t support imposed candidates.”

He also said national and provincial leaders would be guided by their branches if they were unhappy with the nomination of affected candidate councillors when campaigning in various areas.

Msizi Nhlapho, second deputy secretary, claimed that Sibisi never informed them he had been approached to stand as an independent in his community.

“It came as a shock to us,” Nhlapho said.

However, he said: “There are wards where we have problem with certain candidates.”

Sibisi could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, ANC KZN chairman, Sihle Zikalala, told a separate media conference that the conduct of SACP members campaigning for independents would not affect their relationship with their alliance partner.

“Those who use the paraphernalia of SACP are doing so like those using paraphernalia of the ANC without ANC permission. We don’t want to elevate something that does not exist,” Zikalala said.

He insisted the SACP had committed to campaigning for the ANC and ensure it won on August 3.

“They made it clear they will work for the ANC to win. We have no reason to doubt that,” Zikalala said.

Daily News

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