JOHANNESBURG, June 2 (BERNAMA-NNN-AGENCIES) -- The South African Communist Party (SACP) has defended the appointment of most of its leaders in Cabinet positions and other high level government jobs saying criticising the appointments is disingenuous.
SACP leaders have been widely criticised for accepting top government positions which saying it could affect the way they hold government accountable for its shortfalls.
The communist party briefed the media in Braamfontein on the outcome of its three day central committee meeting on the 2014 general elections.
Leaders of the party say they met this weekend to discuss the results of the past elections and issues the current administration should prioritise.
The SACP says President Jacob Zuma's second term should focus on radical policies that will transform the economy and create jobs mostly for young people.
The party says poverty eradication, reducing inequality and creating jobs should become the hallmarks of Zuma's administration.
It says the appointment of its members in Cabinet positions is a vote of confidence in the communist party.
SACP leader Blade Nzimande has denied the appointments will hamper party members from holding the government accountable.
The SACP has called on government to suspend the licences of mining companies that do not comply with the conditions of their licences.
The SACP says it is committed to the re-alignment of mining to bringing about transformation in the sector. 2014 marks the deadline for mining corporations to fully comply with the conditions of their licences. These include black economic empowerment. The party has also called on government to convene a mining indaba.
SACP deputy general-secretary Jeremy Cronin says: "If you want to hold onto your licence for instance you are going to have to invest in housing for the working class, you are going to have to empower mining communities to invest in other things, and you are going to have to improve on mine safety. You are going to have to promote democratisation in the work place. So we need to leverage the requirements and also review what those requirements were." Earlier, the SACP accused the three platinum producers, Lonmin, Implats and Amplats of avoiding centralised bargaining and competing among themselves on payment of workers.
"All of this has resulted in chronic labour market instability," Nzimande said.
"To add insult to injury, the senior management have been paying themselves huge and insensitive salaries and perks." Nzimande said while the strike in the platinum sector had to be resolved, there was a danger that any settlement reached would focus on remuneration while issues of transformation would be side-lined.
"This will leave the initiative for and direction of restructuring in the hands of the mining monopolies. The mining houses are looking...to close many shafts and operations...at the cost of labour in the more profitable operations," he said. -- BERNAMA-NNN-AGENCIES