Masondo hits back at 'sellout' claim

Outgoing Young Communist League (YCL) chairman David Masondo has accused SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande of double standards and "rumour mongering" following the latter's charge that the youth leader had been bought by Nzimande's enemies in the ANC Youth League.

Masondo further accused the SACP boss of being hypocritical given that he had suffered the same treatment - referring to the accusation that he received R500000 in a black plastic bag from then Cosatu president Willie Madisha - from those who disagreed with him.

"It's sad that some of the senior leaders make such insinuations particularly ... about ... being given monies in plastic bags. We stood up and said it is not right for anyone to accuse any person for this. It is a cheap argument against comrades who are presenting a political view.

"That accusation (by Nzimande) is ... rumour mongering because no one came to me and said they had evidence that I had been bought. It's just innuendos to deal with political issues. People must tell us when we were bought. If people want to conduct a lifestyle audit on me in that regard, I am more than happy to open up everything so that people can see for themselves," Masondo said.

The embattled YCL chairman has been on the receiving end of heckling and booing by supporters of Buti Manamela, the YCL's national secretary.

But Masondo brushed off the booing as part of a "general pattern of degeneration in the youth movement".

The YCL is holding its third national congress at the University of the North West, in Mafikeng. The gathering, attended by 2200 delegates, was addressed by deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe, Cosatu boss Zwelinzima Vavi and Nzimande, who is openly backing Manamela for a third term as YCL secretary.

In an attempt to accommodate Manamela's parliamentary duties, his supporters are fighting to change the YCL's constitution so his post can be made part time.

Should the change be approved, it is believed that Nzimande would lobby for the same reforms in the SACP.

Manamela is being challenged by his deputy, Khaye Nkwanyana, for the secretary position. The contestation generated heated debates about the congress's credentials.

Masondo's references to Nzimande - who has been the SACP general secretary since 1998 - and Manamela's extended stay in office earned him the tirade of the SACP boss, who then accused him of having been bought by ANC Youth League president Julius Malema and his supporters.

During all their speeches, alliance leaders spoke about the importance of sustained unity among the alliance partners.

There were concerns over the ailing relationship between Cosatu and the SACP. And though some in the alliance played down the tensions, Manamela said: "We express our discomfort when the SACP and Cosatu are seen to be divided and at war with each other when there are other important battles affecting the working class of our country."

Motlanthe said the alliance partners should remember their pact was born out of a struggle for freedom, and called for unity within the youth movements.