PAC expels Plaatjie, Mgwebi
2003-08-27 11:35
Cape Town - The Pan Africanist Congress has expelled its former secretary-general Thami ka Plaatjie and former secretary for education, Snail Mgwebi, as "unrepentant divisionists".
The move followed a "thorough" analysis of developments in the party by the PAC's national executive committee (NEC) since the divisive June national congress in Soweto, a statement issued by the NEC said.
"The NEC was painfully aware that the historical problem of factionalism has reared its head again. This time in a much more pronounced and vicious sense," the statement signed by PAC deputy leader Themba Godi said.
Activities and pronouncements before and since the Soweto congress clearly indicated there was a determined, concerted, and orchestrated campaign to "totally undermine the standing and integrity of the PAC in the national political landscape.
"The high priests of this campaign have been going about it quite openly. They openly, with contempt, undermined the provisions, procedures, and discipline of the party, especially its democratic centralism."
The PAC leadership had challenged these elements to follow stipulated procedures to raise their concerns or complaints.
But after the "spectacular rejection" by party branches of their call for a special conference, they went ahead and called "unstructural and unconstitutional" meetings where they openly denounced the leadership.
They had also campaigned against party programmes and declared their intention to split the party - "in short, operated like a parallel structure and authority in the party".
Thus the PAC leadership, "having exhausted its patience", had no option but to terminate ka Plaatjie and Mgwebi's membership of the PAC "for good".
It also warned all those who organised and attended the "alternative" meetings that their party loyalty was questionable and their membership "on thin ice".
- SAPA
