Young Reds push for ANC change

YCL wants rules of engagement in alliance redefined

The Young Communist League (YCL) is applying maximum pressure on the SA Communist Party (SACP) to contest elections alone should the ANC not agree to the reconfiguration of the tripartite alliance.

If the reconfiguration of the partnership does take place, it would pave the way for the ANC, SACP and trade union federation Cosatu to develop a white paper on how they are going to engage as partners.

This is the message the league wanted conveyed to the ANC at a meeting in Luthuli House yesterday.

It also emphasised that the SACP should field its members to contest upcoming byelections in Metsimaholo, Free State, later this month.

The league’s secretary, Mluleki Dlelanga, said the ANC was trying to convince the SACP to reverse its decision on Metsimaholo by-elections. “The ANC wants negotiations to resolve the issue amicably. The decision to contest the by-elections was taken by the central committee. SACP officials can’t change that decision,” he said.

The central committee is the highest decision-making body between congresses.

The decision to contest these

We don’t care whether Blade is reinstated Mluleki Dlelanga YOUNG COMMUNIST LEAGUE SECRETARY

by-elections is seen as a strong indication of fractured ties with the governing party.

He added the league does not care whether President Jacob Zuma reinstated SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande as higher education and training minister.

“We don’t care whether Nzimande is reinstated. Our call for Nzimande to be reinstated is to check whether the ANC is still committed to the [tripartite] alliance.

“In fact, we are worried about communists participating in a cabinet that is captured by the Guptas,” added Dlelanga.