ANC and SACP in heated debate over 2026 elections

A heated debate has erupted between the ANC and the SACP over its decision to contest the 2026 local government elections independently. 

The controversy centers around comments made by ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, suggesting that individuals who are members of both the ANC and SACP and deployed in Cabinet positions may have to choose between the two parties.

The SACP's decision to contest the 2026 elections independently was made during their elective conference. 

Historically, the SACP has been a key partner in the tripartite alliance with the ANC and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu). 

Recently appointed Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela, Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, and Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande are among those who may be compelled to choose where their loyalty lies.

SACP spokesperson Mbulelo Mandlana responded to Mbalula's assertions, saying that the ANC Secretary-General has been "careless" with his statements. 

"He is making false claims," Mandlana said. 

"The process of the elections and deployment is not exclusively for the ANC, it involves the alliance as well…in the past ANC officials have made these kinds of statements and they help no one…The process of the elections and deployment is not exclusively for the ANC, it involves the alliance as well.

“Historically the deployment requires a list from the alliance. It's not an ANC function exclusively…For as long as we have had democracy the ANC has never acted alone. He must desist from making those kinds of statements.

“These members are also members of the ANC. So he is being divisive and careless while using the government as a factional tool…There are a lot of SACP members who are in government including ministers, deputy ministers, MECs, MPs and MPLs. He is starting a witch-hunt that we can't afford…It's a futile attempt to move the SACP away from its conference resolutions,” Mandlana said.

Mandlana emphasised that being a member of the SACP and holding a government position was not a punishable offense.

Mbalula, however, stood firm on his stance, warning SACP officials to make up their minds on whether they are still with the ANC or with the SACP. 

"In our view, the resolution of the SACP is forcing members to choose between the ANC and the SACP," Mbalula said.

He questioned what the SACP wanted to achieve by contesting elections and emphasised that the alliance could not function as usual, while one of its partners contested elections outside of the collective.

“Is it important that the communist party understand the implications of their decision,” Mbalula said.

A senior ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) member revealed that there were talks within the party to strip SACP members who hold government positions of their jobs and reserve those positions exclusively for ANC members. 

"Comrades are grappling with the fact that SACP comrades in government should make their own decision as to where they want to be," the official said.

Cosatu spokesperson Matthew Parks said that that federation was still discussing the matter of elections, including the SACP Special National Congress resolution to contest elections.

“We’ve convened a Special Central Executive Committee to discuss it and will be holding our Central Committee in September where further discussions will take place on it. These will then go to our National Congress next year which would have the final say on it.

He said affiliates were undertaking similar discussions and receiving mandates from members and workers and would take these to Cosatu’s processes.

“Ultimately we want an Alliance with the ANC and SACP that is renewed, reconfigured and on the ground a Federation that is united…These are complex and sensitive matters and hence extensive engagements are being held, in particular with workers,” Parks said.

mashudu.sadike@inl.co.za