ANC NEC to grapple with alliance partner SACP's decision to contest municipal polls on its own
This follows yet another public salvo from the communist party on Sunday, accusing the ANC of being arrogant and relegating its concerns to a permanent discussion of no consequence.
The ANC NEC's top six members at the party's NEC meeting held at the Lakewood Conference Centre, Ormonde from 1 to 4 August 2025. Picture: @MYANC/X
JOHANNESBURG - As the African National Congress (ANC)'s national executive committee (NEC) rolls into its fourth and final day, it will have to grapple with its alliance partner, the South African Communist Party (SACP)’s pursuit of contesting next year’s municipal elections on its own.
This follows yet another public salvo from the communist party on Sunday, accusing the ANC of being arrogant and relegating its concerns to a permanent discussion of no consequence.
Talks between the ANC and the SACP have borne no fruit.
The ANC is once again caught between a rock and a hard place, this as NEC members prepare to wade through the SACP's threat to contest elections on its own.
It's likely that those who felt it could use the issue of dual membership or positions in the executive as leverage will not find expression in Monday’s meeting.
Some in the NEC have told EWN that the ANC cannot afford to be reckless in managing this impasse.
The challenge is managing officials from the party who serve in the ANC's leading structures, as that is where the core of election planning takes place.
A suggestion for elders of the ANC, including former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Mothlanthe, is one also being considered by some, but has been largely shut down because it's believed that the SACP has made up its mind and there’s no room left to persuade it otherwise.
The stand-off is likely to also be addressed by ANC president, Cyril Ramaphosa, in his closing address on Monday.