ANC issues 10-day ultimatum to dual SACP members ahead of local polls

Dual members of the African National Congress (ANC) and South African Communist Party (SACP) will be given ten days from Thursday to indicate who they will campaign for in the upcoming local government elections.

While ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has on Monday reiterated that no one’s membership is in jeopardy as a result of the alliance arrangement, they will, however, have to pick a side for elections.

Deputy Secretary General Nomvula Mokonyane said while the ANC has accepted a decision by the SACP to go at it alone in this year’s polls, the party’s resources can’t be abused in the process.

Mbalula said there’s no intention to hound SACP members out of the ANC, and their alliance remains intact.

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But a failure to indicate which party members will be campaigning for will have consequences.

"The communist party contests power for socialism, and it must express that in its campaign, but it cannot isolate the ANC as a target. And the same as the ANC cannot isolate and attack the SACP."

Mokanyane said the party has to learn from past experienceS and recent by-elections, which the SACP has contested.

"Having learnt badly from the MKP situation, we are now determined to ensure this is done in a manner that protects the resources, the opportunities given to members, they must be for the good of the ANC."

Mokanyane said the ANC respects the SACP’s resolution on elections, and its subsequent response is not against the party.