16 September 2007
The Political Bureau of the South African Communist Party met in Johannesburg on Saturday 15th September to receive the report of the task team established by the Central Committee in August to investigate an alleged donation of R500,000 to the SACP. As he had been the subject of allegations, our general secretary cde Blade Nzimande was, quite properly, excused from attending the PB.
The task team, chaired by SACP National Treasurer, cde Phumulo Masualle, had been given 21 days to complete its work. It interviewed a number of persons, including cdes Willie Madisha, Blade Nzimande, Gwede Mantashe, Jeremy Cronin, and two former SACP National Treasurers, Phillip Dexter and Thaba Mufamadi. The task team also scrutinised SACP financial records.
Without exception, all of those who gave evidence to the task team situated the allegations within the context of a politically poisened environment and a sustained offensive against the SACP and its leadership.
The main finding of the task team is that, on the basis of all of the information before it, it could not establish any credible evidence that such a donation had ever existed. Furthermore, the task team noted inconsistencies in the accounts provided to it by cde Willie Madisha in regard to, amongst other things, his contacts with the businessman, Charles Modise.
The PB thanked the task team for completing its work in difficult circumstances. The PB accepted the principal findings and recommendations of the task team. However, the PB added that, to ensure that to the best of our ability the SACP leaves no stone unturned, the Party should seek professional auditing assistance to validate, or otherwise, the allegation of a R500,000 transaction. Specifically, this would require scrutiny of personal and /or family bank accounts of Charles Modise, and cdes Willie Madisha and Blade Nzimande. Cde Nzimande in his evidence to the task group, and cde Madisha in a subsequent follow up have indicated their preparedness to cooperate fully with such a validation process.
Without pre-empting the findings of such an audit into the alleged transaction, the PB expressed its serious concern that cde Willie Madisha in the five years between July 2002 and July 2007, during which time he served on the Party’s CC, PB and Financial Committee, had never once raised this matter with any SACP structure. The PB also took a dim view in the conduct of Cde Willie Madisha in how he has handled this matter since it has become public. Accordingly, the PB has referred this matter to the SACP’s National Disciplinary Committee.
The PB wishes once more to reassure its members, supporters and the public at large that the SACP’s own financial records for the relevant years have been fully audited and reported upon. The PB also reaffirms that it is the Party’s longstanding policy and practice to receipt all donations received and deposit them in the SACP’s bank account.
Issued by the SACP.
For Information Contact:
Malesela Maleka
SACP Spokesperson – 082 226 1802