'SACP will not accede to ultimatums from another organisation'

The South African Communist Party (SACP) said that it won’t bow to intimidation and ultimatums by the Afrian National Congress (ANC) regarding its decision to contest elections independently.

SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila has also accused the ANC and Secretary General Fikile Mbalula of going off on an “Intimidation tirade” against its alliance partner.

Mapaila made the remarks while briefing the media on Thursday after the ANC gave the SACP ten days to indicate who they will campaign for in the run up to the local government elections.

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

The party also said it has no intention to chase SACP members out of the ANC, and their alliance remains intact.

But Mapaila said that the two alliances partners can’t co-exist harmoniously with an ultimatum.

"The SACP will not accede to ultimatums from another organisation. Simple as that. That must be understood. Even those who are dreaming. We do not take instructions from capital nor from its stooges."

Mapaila said that its their decision to contest the elections was not taken lightly and arose from their assessment on the crisis facing local government.

He said that the party’s politburo will meet on Friday to consider the matter further.