SACP says ‘unacceptable’ DA has 6 GNU ministerial portfolios while it only has 1
The SACP currently has one minister in the Government of National Unity (GNU), Blade Nzimande, who heads up the Office of Science, Technology, and Innovation.
The South African Communist Party (SACP) secretary general, Solly Mapaila. Picture: Faceboo/SACP1921
JOHANNESBURG - The South African Communist Party (SACP) says the African National Congress (ANC)’s decision to give the Democratic Alliance (DA) six ministerial portfolios while it has one is unacceptable.
The SACP currently has one minister in the Government of National Unity (GNU), Blade Nzimande, who heads up the Office of Science, Technology, and Innovation.
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The SACP concluded its four-day special national congress on Saturday, where it deliberated on its future in the alliance.
The party said its members spent considerable time and resources campaigning for the ANC in the May elections.
The SACP also said it shared responsibility for the ANC’s electoral decline.
However, SACP general secretary Solly Mapaila said there was no need for the ANC to enter a coalition with the DA, as there were other alternatives.
“They give the DA six ministers, but we only have one communist minister who is not even accountable to the Communist Party per se but is accountable to the ANC. The ally of the ANC only has one - completely incorrect and unacceptable.
“It’s not about the positions per se, but I am giving you an example. Why is it possible that a reactionary force is allowed to occupy so many positions and even stall progress on things that have passed through the legal process, whether it’s the NHI [National Health Insurance], BELA [Basic Education Laws Amendment] Bill or so forth?”
Mapaila said the SACP won’t be recalling any of its members serving in the national executive.
SACP WARNS MEMBERS NOT TO FIGHT FOR POSITIONS
With the SACP resolving to contest the upcoming elections, the organisation has warned its members not to fight for positions.
The SACP said it will be running a wall-to-wall campaign, meaning it will contest every municipality and ward in the 2026 local government elections.
The SACP has established the revolutionary election committee.
This committee will be tasked with preparing for the elections, including the candidate selection process.
Mapaila said candidates will be selected based on merit.
“We don’t want the selection of candidates to be a stampede for people who are looking at the selection of these candidates as a job opportunity. This is a period and platform of service by our cadres to our communities.”
Mapaila said the party will now begin the process of strengthening and rebuilding its branch structures throughout the country.