SACP insists contesting state power was unavoidable
EWN understands members of the ANC national working committee are in support of its first deputy secretary general, Nomvula Mokonyane, who’s called for a ban on SACP members’ participation in ANC elections preparations.
Picture: Unsplash.com
JOHANNESBURG - The South African Communist Party (SACP) insists that contesting state power was unavoidable, as its alliance partner, the African National Congress (ANC), seeks to draw a line between the two parties ahead of 2026’s municipal elections.
EWN understands members of the ANC's national working committee (NWC) are in support of its first deputy secretary general, Nomvula Mokonyane, who has called for a ban on SACP members’ participation in ANC elections preparations.
ALSO READ:
- SACP says selection of those who serve in govt not sole responsibility of ANC
- SACP believes running for upcoming Limpopo by-election will be litmus test for 2026 polls
She defended booting out SACP members from an elections meeting in Mpumalanga last week.
ANC NWC members want the issue discussed at the upcoming national executive committee (NEC) meeting.
Recent messages from ANC leaders to party members have sounded warning bells. This, as they ask them to prepare to defend their organisation even against their alliance partner, the SACP.
It seems for the first time since threatening to go at it alone, the party might finally go head-to-head with the ANC on the ballot in 2026.
NWC members want the ANC to deliberate on the implications of the move, including those with dual membership and for those currently serving in the executive on a so-called ANC ticket.
The SACP said the flurry of public statements isn't surprising, saying the ANC is reacting to a new scenario that it never thought possible.
Its national spokesperson, Mbulelo Ndlezana, said this development was inevitable.
“Given that the ANC has not been paying attention to the issues the communist party has been raising about the direction that we are taking politically.”
The SACP has fielded a candidate in a by-election taking place in Polokwane later in July – the first one since its renewed drive to go at it alone.