ANC says those with dual memberships won't be punished

JOHANNESBURG - With the South African Communist Party (SACP) poised to contest local government elections alone, the African National Congress (ANC) says that people with dual membership at both parties won't be punished. 

The ANC and SACP have been in an alliance for over three decades and have contested elections under one banner.

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On Friday is day three of the SACP's 5th Special National Congress in Boksburg, where the party is finalising the modalities of its election campaign.

Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party president Jacob Zuma was expelled from the ANC for campaigning for another party while still an ANC member.

With the SACP set to contest the upcoming local government elections, some ANC members are likely going to be campaigning for another party.

However, ANC National spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the two situations were not comparable.

"It's not a similar thing, and I’ve been at pains to clarify that the SACP is our historic ally and will continue to be our ally into the future, because we know what it is that’s bonded these organisations in the history of the struggles."

Bhengu-Motsiri said the ANC's leadership is yet to meet to discuss the SACP decision to contest elections alone.