A House Divided: SACP’s KZN Leadership Revolts Against National Disbandment

A political storm is raging within the South African Communist Party (SACP), tearing through its heart in KwaZulu-Natal. The party’s national leadership finds itself facing an open revolt after its decision to disband the provincial executive committee was met not with compliance, but with defiance and accusations of sabotage.

The dissolved KZN leadership has launched a scathing counter-attack, accusing the national body of “destroying the party.” This move comes after the provincial structure outright rejected its disbandment and questioned the manner in which the party is pursuing its contentious resolution to contest for state power independently.

A Meeting Descends into Chaos

The deep internal fractures were laid bare for all to see during a branch meeting in Durban this past Saturday. The national leadership had called the gathering to explain its decision to members. Instead, the meeting was reportedly disrupted and ultimately shut down over safety concerns.

In a statement, the national SACP blamed “certain individuals” who it said lack “loyalty to party decisions,” labeling them a “reactionary and opportunistic tendency.” From the perspective of the national office, this was a necessary intervention to revitalize a struggling structure.

But from the ground in KZN, the view is starkly different.

“We Were Not Consulted”

The core of the rebellion hinges on a fundamental breach of process. Leaders from the disbanded committee have flatly refused to join the newly appointed interim structure, arguing they were completely sidelined.

Themba Mthembu, a provincial leader, was unequivocal: “We do not support the national departments’ actions, and we believe that this will kill the party.” He emphasized that while they support the party’s resolution to contest elections, they do not want it done in a manner “hostile to the ANC,” their alliance partner.

The discontent runs so deep that Nomalungelo Gina, a member drafted onto the interim committee, publicly distanced herself. In a sharply worded letter, she stated that no one had consulted her about the appointment, and she firmly withdrew from the role.

A Self-Made Crisis with Deeper Implications

Cultural and political analyst Musa Xulu believes the SACP’s crisis is largely “self-made.” He points to the fundamental tension within the party: the decision to stand alone in elections is seen by some as an attempt to weaken the ANC, its long-standing ally.

“The SACP standing alone carries no electoral capital,” Xulu noted, highlighting the chasm between the party’s strength in political theory and the ANC’s dominance in electoral practicality.

The national SACP has stated it will engage with Gina privately and remains focused on “rebuilding the structures.” However, this calm official stance belies the tempest on the ground. The revolt in KZN is more than an administrative dispute; it is a battle for the soul of the party, testing its unity, its future with the ANC alliance, and its very identity in the complex landscape of South African politics.

{Source: IOL}

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