Betrayal not an option, Lesufi tells SACP

The South African Communist Party (SACP) has vowed to defend Gauteng premier and ANC provincial chair Panyaza Lesufi against those who targeted him because of his strong anti-government of national unity (GNU) stance.

- Eric Mthobeli Naki

Lesufi received a warm welcome from delegates at the SACP fifth national congress in Boksburg yesterday.

In his address, he thanked the SACP for standing by him as he was being attacked over his approach to the GNU.

"We were attacked but the SACP stood with us. When we advance the programmes of our people we were called names, but the SACP came to our rescue," he said.

"Our sin was that we established a government without the bullies. Our sin was that we defended attempts to render the ANC government in our province useless. We were demonised and insulted," Lesufi said.

He said he was proud that he was able to establish a government that was ready and prepared to represent the interest of the poor and the unemployed.