NUM denies claims it dumped ANC ahead of 2026 municipal elections
This follows reports that the country’s oldest mining union has resolved not to campaign for the governing party in the upcoming 2026 local elections.
FILE: The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM)’s 3-day national elective congress, which is set to conclude on 26 June 2025, in Boksburg, Johannesburg. Picture: Thandoluhle Ngcobo/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has vehemently denied claims that it has dumped the African National Congress (ANC) ahead of 2026's crucial municipal elections.
This follows reports that the country’s oldest mining union has resolved not to campaign for the governing party in the upcoming 2026 local elections.
This comes as the tripartite alliance faces growing tensions and further tests on its unity after the South African Communist Party (SACP) reiterated plans to contest the local government elections, putting it at odds with the ANC.
NUM – an affiliate of Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) - has historically backed the ANC and lobbied for votes for the party at elections.
The decision by the SACP to go to the local government elections means COSATU affiliates will have to make a tough call on whether to back the ANC or SACP at the polls.
In a statement on Monday night, the NUM’s newly elected president, Phillip Vilakazi, distanced the union from claims that it had taken a side.
A month ago, at the NUM’s national elective conference, the union downplayed similar claims.
Although critical of the ANC’s decision to form the Government of National Unity (GNU) with opposition parties, union members had not taken a resolution on its endorsement in the tripartite alliance.
While the resolution is tipped to be up for discussion at a special congress, NUM said it won't take a decision at the expense of unity in the tripartite alliance.
"A resolution adopted by the NUM affirms the union's commitment to the tripartite alliance. The NUM believes it cannot divide the alliance and its members and, by extension, its own membership, many of whom are loyal and dual members of the ANC and South African Communist Party. Our members continue to support the tripartite alliance as a united front and are not prepared to choose between the ANC and the SACP."
COSATU and its other key affiliates are also yet to take a decision on the matter.