SACP reaffirms decision to contest local polls despite ANC's ‘threats’

The South African Communist Party (SACP) has reaffirmed its decision to contest the 2026 local government elections, despite what it calls "threats and intimidation" from its alliance partner, the African National Congress (ANC).

The SACP also said it will not accede to ultimatums from another organisation, after the ANC gave it 10 days to indicate who they will campaign for in the run-up to the local government elections.

The ANC’s alliance partner held a media briefing on Thursday, where the communist leadership accused the ANC of targeting its members who hold dual membership.

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The ANC and the SACP will, for the first time, be competing against each other for votes, come the local government elections later in 2026

The party’s general secretary, Solly Mapaila, said their decision was not taken lightly and arose from an assessment of the crisis facing local government.

Mapaila said the ANC is not in a position to instruct the SACP on the matter of dual membership.

“Now is the time to assert our independence in elections and both vote for and campaign for the SACP. Dual membership is not a favour granted by one organisation to another. It is a political practice rooted in the history of our liberation struggle.”

Mapaila also listed the SACP’s contribution to the ANC’s successes over the years and how its members who held dual membership, like Nelson Mandela, Chris Hani and Thabo Mbeki, led the liberation struggle.

He said the party’s politburo will meet on Friday to continue its discussions on the matter.