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One of the cornerstones of our Bill of Rights is that “freedom of expression” is enshrined in the Constitution of our democratic dispensation.
It is often stated that freedom comes with responsibility. But this principle is seldom practised in our political discourse. As such, misinformation has to be challenged when it becomes part of the public discourse.
Last week the SA Communist Party (SACP) released a media statement condemning the so-called Premier League. It described the Premier League as a corrupt, factional group that seeks to capture the democratic movement led by the ANC. The Premier League was portrayed as a group that uses patronage and money to buy votes, stifle democratic processes, and isolate the alliance and its partners.
The SACP is convinced the Premier League intends to take over the ANC and manipulate processes leading up to the party’s 2017 electoral conference.
Although it was only a corridor issue, this notion of a Premier League was a subject matter in the congresses of the ANC Women’s League and the ANC Youth League.
What is the Premier League?
This is a new, invented concept that has been instilled in the minds of some members of the ANC and the public through fallacious and unfounded information.
The concept is being propagated by the SACP, and some leaders and members of the ANC.
The Premier League is purported to be led by Ace Magashule of the Free State, David Mabuza of Mpumalanga and Supra Mahumapelo of North West.
We are being fed malice, propaganda and innuendos by SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande, who is hellbent on casting aspersions on these tried-and-tested leaders of the ANC.
All provincial chairpersons of the ANC – including Mabuza, Magashule and Mahumapelo – have a political responsibility to take a direct interest in the leadership of the ANC and its components. No one, including the SACP, can stop them from engaging and providing political direction in the ANC.
The peddlers of these lies made reference to these selfless and dedicated leaders of the ANC, but have failed to provide any evidence to back up their claims.
Developers of theories
Instead of being grounded in the needs of the working class and the masses, the SACP – under Nzimande’s leadership – has mastered the art of developing conspiracy theories.
The nation must be reminded that the SACP comes up with new concepts every time we approach ANC electoral contests.
We all remember the 1996 Class Project and the New Tendency, or tenderpreneurs. Now we have the Premier League. None of these concepts has anything to do with the genuine struggles of the working class.
The vanguard party of Moses Kotane is no more.
The voice of the party is now channelled into focusing on the leadership of the ANC to allow the leaders to have access to Cabinet positions and government perks.
Who wants to lead?
Nzimande and the SACP leadership believe they are entitled to lead and occupy leadership positions in the ANC.
In their narrow and feeble thinking, they believe any new generation of leadership must have their stamp of approval, and they have assigned themselves the role of messiahs of the movement.
In pursuing their narrow self-interests, they are prepared to fight to the death to prevent the emergence of a progressive new generation in the ANC.
In their quest, they make dubious allegations and spread malicious lies about the existence of the Premier League. Is it a crime for leaders of the ANC to share a vision for the movement and the country?
Divided we fall
The offensive attack on chairpersons of the ANC by the SACP leaders is supported by streams of lies. These should be condemned and investigated as they undermine the alliance’s political unity.
Members of the ANC must refuse to be coerced into the selfish, narrow battles propagated by Nzimande. The party must charge him for sowing division, incitement and turning comrades against each other.
The leadership of the ANC remains the reflection of the organisation, and any lies levelled against it create doubt and undermine the integrity of the party. The hard-working premiers must be defended without any fear of contradictions or any fear of being labelled.
The battle against divisive behaviour can often be defeated by overly conciliatory behaviour. It must be stated clearly and loudly that the notion of a Premier League is nothing but a myth. It is propaganda and rumour developed by the peddlers of lies.
Mokgatle is a former executive committee member of the ANC Youth League in North West and the provincial task team
