🇿🇦The Citizen·2 hours ago
ANC and SACP to contest local elections separately, alliance strained
The African National Congress ANC and the South African Communist Party SACP will not contest the upcoming local government elections as a united force. The SACP has decided to go it alone, despite attempts by the ANC to convince it otherwise. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula stated that any ANC members campaigning for or voting for the SACP will face severe consequences, emphasizing that members must choose between the two parties. Mbalula clarified that while the SACP's decision to contest separately is accepted, the ANC's constitution prohibits members from campaigning for another party. He maintained that the alliance itself remains intact, distinguishing this situation from the formation of Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe party. Political analysts suggest this development indicates a deepening strain within the ANC alliance. Dominic Maphaka, a political science and international relations expert from Unisa, believes the SACP is politically irrelevant and unlikely to gain significant electoral support, suggesting its standalone posture could further erode public trust in the ANC. Other analysts have previously indicated that while the SACP's move might fragment the ANC electorate, the SACP itself is unlikely to benefit substantially due to its limited voter support.