CAPE TOWN, October 17 (ANA) – The relationship between South Africa’s ruling party and its alliance partner, the SA Communist Party (SACP), was at its lowest and the axing of Blade Nzimande from cabinet was not helping to strengthen ties, African National Congress secretary general Gwede Mantashe said on Tuesday.
Reacting to the replacement of Nzimande, the SACP general secretary, with another cabinet colleague Hlengiwe Mkhize, Mantashe said he was very disappointed.
“I don’t want to speak for the communist party but what I’m prepared to accept the alliance relationship is at its lowest. Many things that are happening are not helping to build that relationship,” Mantashe said while speaking to eNCA.
Mantashe described Nzimande as “brilliant, full of energy and working hard”.
“He is now removed. The ANC will continue using him and we hoping that he will not resign from Parliament because we still need his energy, we still need his knowledge,” said Mantashe.
– African News Agency (ANA)
