Govt extending invite to Zelensky was ‘ill-considered’, says SACP

JOHANNESBURG - The South African Communist Party (SACP) said it was “ill-considered” by government to extend an invite to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The SACP is the second political organisation to publicly oppose Zelensky’s visit to South Africa, following similar sentiments expressed by the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party this week.

Zelensky is due to land in Pretoria in April for a state visit.

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Speaking at a media briefing on Sunday afternoon, SACP’s spokesperson, Alex Mashilo, said the invite to Zelensky must be withdrawn while there is still time.

“The SACP rejects the ill-considered decision to invite Volodymyr Zelenskyy to South Africa. This move must be reversed without delay. Zelenskyy's term as President of Ukraine has expired. 

“No new elections have taken place in Ukraine, unlike in Russia, rendering his status illegitimate. He remains a puppet of the US-led imperialist bloc, serving the interests of the NATO political, economic, ideological and war machinery. His invitation has the effect of placing our country on the wrong side of history and the global class struggle.”