Born in Latvia to a Jewish family,[1] Bach's father owned a factory, and was sentenced to death during the Russian Civil War.
Under his leadership, he maintained Wolton's loyalty to the current line of the Soviet Union, and readily expelled opponents, including Moses Kotane, although he was soon readmitted.
George Hardy was sent from the Communist Party of Great Britain to try to resolve conflict between the factions supporting each of the rivals, but was unable to make progress.
Mpama gave a speech implying that the popular front strategy, newly championed by the Comintern, should be merely the means to achieve an independent republic led by black South Africans.
They were required to remain in Moscow while the charge was investigated, and on 28 October 1936 were found guilty by the Comintern's International Control Commission.