SACP’s solidarity with Palestinian prisoners

THE newly-elected SACP Western Cape leadership has thrown its weight behind the Palestinian political prisoners who went on hunger strike, demanding basic rights in Israeli jails.

This comes as the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation called for lunchtime pickets at provincial legislatures and an evening rally in support of Palestinian political prisoners, who have been on a hunger strike for nearly a month. The pickets today take place on the same day prominent South Africans and politicians undertake a 24-hour solidarity fast in support of the prisoners.

The list of those who have pledged their support to the fast included Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Communications Minister Ayanda Dlodlo, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel, International Relations and Co-operation Deputy Minister Nomaindia Mfeketo.

Human rights activists says about 6 500 Palestinian political prisoners were detained by Israel while 25 Palestinian journalists and 13 Palestinian MPs were also incarcerated in Israeli prisons.

During a press briefing following its eighth provincial congress at the weekend, SACP’s newly election provincial secretary Benson Ngqentsu said: “The SACP pledges solidarity – a message of solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine, in line with our party’s international policy to support the Palestinian people.

“The SAPC as a whole and as congress support the continuing hunger strike, the just strike of the Palestinian people for freedom. This congress condemns, in strongest terms possible, the violation of the rights of the Palestinian people by the apartheid regime of Israel.”

Ngqentsu, along with SACP provincial chairperson Anthony Dietrich, treasurer Ernest Theron, first deputy secretary Barry Mitchel, second deputy secretary Sonwabile Ngxiza and deputy chairperson Nokulunga Sofoyiya, were elected at the party’s conference held in Cape Town at the weekend.

Addressing the gathering, Ngqentsu slammed Premier Helen Zille over her comments about colonialism, saying she must be reminded of the country’s persisting challenges which were the direct result of being colonised.

“We are not cursed. This is the direct impact of apartheid and colonialism. Lets remind Helen Zille that under the barbaric and brutal system of colonialism and apartheid, black people were subjected to mass land disposal.

“Black people were subjected to carry dompasses. Black workers were subjected to slavery wages compared to their white counterparts,” he said.