P. O. BOX 1915,
JOHANNESBURG.
October, 1931.

DEAR COMRADES OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY,

No doubl you have heard of the recent expulsions, and perhaps
you have wondered what is the reason for them. Speaking of my
own case
only, I believe the great majority of the comrades and the African
comrades in particular, will say they know of no reason why I should
be put out of the party.12

The trouble does not emanate from the membership, however, but
from the "new leadership" installed at (or rather before) last
conference, which really means Com. Wolton, for the rest of the leading
personnel remained much the same as before. Some of you may remember
how bitterly, and as I think, falsely Com. Wolton attacked me at
our 1928/9 conference, and how that conference did not want to hear
anything of such quarrels. Since Com. Wolton's return from Europe
last year, however, the attack has heen greatly intensified, until
it has become almost a "frame up." What have I not been
charged with during the past few months? "Chauvinism," "opportunism," "right
wing deviation," "being against Trade Unionism," "against
the Pass Campaign," etc., etc,, to all of which I plead, and
I believe your verdict should be, not guilty Similarly with the charges
published in "Umsebenzi" of 4th September last about "sabotage
work" or "fractional activities" in connection with
T. W. Thibedi, the African Club, etc. - rather thin charges, I think
you will agree, even if true, but actually quite false, 'is the members
of my group and all others who know the facts (except a mere handful
attached to Head Office who have reasons for not knowing them) will
testify.

In short, my expellers cannot clearly state any of their reasons
except by grossly and knowingly distorting the truth. Or they say
I do not follow the "party line". The only party line I
know is that published in our party programme, Conference Resolutions,
etc., in accord with the Communist International, and this I follow.
No other "line", even if authoritative, has been given
out, except this lying "anti-Bunting" line, to the propaganda
of which much valuable time and man power has been sacrificed, with
the result that much real party work has been scamped or most inefficiently
conducted, and party membership and general agitational activity
have shrivelled almost to a skeleton (and then they blame me for
all that too'.)

Well, without engaging in anything
like an opposition or a split, I am obliged, in applying to the
next Party Conierence for reinstatement,
to ask you all for your support. That does not mean that hanker after "leadership";
let the best man lead, whoever he is. For a year already I have worked
hard as a rank-and-filer, especially on the founding of a miners'
union, and should have been content so to continue. I only want this "ban," passed
by a small dictatorship without giving any notice much less a hearing)
either to me or to you, to be removed, so that may resume doing my
bit in the great war for African emancipation - free this time, I
hope, from the persistent in is representation, boycott and persecution,
especially behind my back, to which I have been subjected for over
a year past.

It will not be so easy for you to do what I ask. The present leadership
will possibly do its utmost (and controlling the party machine it
can do much) to
prevent you from securing free expression of your will, through your own freely-chosen
delegates, at the conference. It may say "this appeal of Bunting's is
fractional" or "opposition to the leadership cannot be tolerated" or "Bolshevism
does not believe in hearing both sides", or it may try to shelve the matter
altogether. But if there is something wrong with a party or its bureaucracy,
if there is some danger or poison or disease at work, must you just hold your
tongues and say "Ja baas "? No, you cannot be deprived of your right
to put matters in order at a party conference, and for that purpose to ascertain
and discuss all the tacts beforehand. If, therefore, you think that in the
interest of the party and the African masses I should be reinstated, I beg
you not to be indifferent or inactive, not to be bluffed or intimidated, but
to assert yourselves by insisting on the conference being held and the matter
properly placed on the agenda, and by sending delegates definitely instructed
to cancel the expulsion resolution.

Yours ever fraternally,
S. P. BUNTING.