Sebei on Malema Case: “Calm Down, Nothing to See Here”

As the Open Letter above makes clear, defence of Malema against AfriForum and Trump is in the direct interest of all workers and socialists. This is something many rank-and-file workers clearly grasp. So why is nothing being done by the unions, especially left-wing unions like SAFTU affiliate GIWUSA, which is led by a Trotskyist, Mametlwe Sebei of WASP? An answer of sorts was given by Sebei in an interview with the Nigerian broadcaster News Central TV about Malema’s case on 23 January, the first day of the pre-sentencing hearing.

In the said interview, Sebei (speaking in his capacity as lecturer of jurisprudence) acknowledges the sinister motive of AfriForum in targeting Malema and the EFF. He explains that AfriForum seeks to “decapitate” the EFF, because it is seen as an obstacle to the interests of white monopoly capital, not least because of the EFF’s position on expropriation of the land without compensation and nationalisation of the mines. That much Sebei admits. But what should be done about this? In Sebei’s view, there’s no need to lose any sleep about it, much less mobilise the unions for a united front to fight this threat: “To the extent that there are problems in the EFF, none of that rests on this case.... the outcome itself would not have any decisive importance.”

Even worse, Sebei then goes on to insinuate that Malema’s conviction is somehow justified by bringing up gang violence in the Western Cape, which often results in the death of innocent bystanders in the crossfire—as if this has anything to do with Malema’s alleged act of symbolically firing a rifle into the air at an EFF rally. This is utter cowardice. In the midst of an imperialist-backed AfriForum campaign to lock up Malema and behead the EFF by branding them as violent, gun-toting thugs, Sebei refuses to defend him and instead offers platitudes to soothe middle class fears about crime.

The proletariat, including the members of GIWUSA, must defend Malema to defend itself. The sentiment to defend Malema against Trump and AfriForum in the ranks of the working class must be leveraged while connecting it to defending the livelihoods of all workers and defending the country against imperialist subjugation. The key is fighting against the resistance of the trade-union bureaucrats who want to avoid this battle with Trump and the GNU. We urge comrade Sebei to join this fight, not obstruct it.