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The South African Communist Party (SACP) in Gauteng province held its ordinary Provincial Working Committee (PWC) meeting on Tuesday, 2 July, in preparation for the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) meeting scheduled for Sunday, 7 July 2024.

The PWC noted and welcomed the election of Comrade Panyaza Lesufi as the Premier of Gauteng and extends its best wishes as he tackles the myriad challenges facing our province.

However, the PWC also noted with concern the ongoing impasse that has delayed the announcement of the cabinet. Therefore, the PWC calls for a speedy resolution of the current impasse in finalising the cabinet. The PWC is deeply concerned that the delay creates an impression of a province in a state of paralysis and under siege.

The PWC is further concerned that the impasse and delays tend to elevate public discourse and narratives that overshadow issues affecting the working class, relegating such issues to the periphery in what seems to be a narrow focus on cabinet positions. While cabinet positions are critical for leveraging state power to transform and improve the living conditions of the people, we believe it is important to elevate the strategic questions and priorities as stated in the ANC Election Manifesto. 

As matters stand, our observation is that these issues affecting the working class have taken a back seat in what may appear as political machinations and point-scoring, potentially deepening confusion, especially within the motive forces of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR).

To this end, the PWC calls for all progressive forces in the province to exercise maximum unity and calm during these complex and trying times. It is precisely under these circumstances that maximum revolutionary unity is absolutely crucial. We firmly believe that anything that borders on confusion and division undermines the strategic task of deepening, advancing, and defending the NDR on the complex terrain of the Government of Provincial Unity.

The forthcoming PEC meeting will further analyse the election outcomes, anchored in and in line with the analysis presented by the Central Committee, to construct a way forward for the province.

A detailed media statement will be issued following the PEC meeting on Sunday.

Issued by the South African Communist Party, Gauteng Province