ANC Expels SACP from Electoral Structures for Local Elections
On 22 April 2026 the African National Congress (ANC) issued a directive that bars the South African Communist Party (SACP) from participating in any ANC electoral structures, candidate lists or campaign activities for the forthcoming local government elections. The order, communicated by ANC Secretary‑General Fikile Mbalula, gives SACP members ten days to decide whether to remain aligned with the ANC or to pursue an independent political path. Failure to comply may trigger disciplinary measures, including removal from leadership positions or public office.
Background of the ANC‑SACP Alliance
The ANC and SACP have maintained a formal alliance since the early 1990s, a relationship cemented during the transition to democracy and reinforced through the Tripartite Alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). Historically, the SACP has foregone independent electoral contests, instead deploying its members to support ANC campaigns at national, provincial and local levels. In return, the ANC has allowed communist cadres to hold senior government and party posts, a practice that has produced several dual‑membership officials.
According to data from the IEC (Independent Electoral Commission) for the 2021 municipal elections, approximately 12 % of ANC ward candidates listed SACP affiliation on their nomination forms, illustrating the depth of the organisational overlap.
Directive Details and Implications
The ANC’s directive contains three core provisions:
- SACP members are prohibited from appearing on ANC electoral lists or holding official positions within ANC campaign structures.
- Any activity deemed to undermine the ANC’s electoral efforts—such as publicly endorsing rival candidates or distributing SACP‑branded material at ANC events—will be treated as a breach of party discipline.
- Violators may face immediate sanctions, ranging from suspension of party privileges to removal from elected office or government posts.
ANC First Deputy Secretary‑General Nomvula Mokonyane framed the measure as a constitutional necessity, noting that the ANC’s own rules forbid members from campaigning for another political organisation. She remarked, “We are fishing from the same pond and campaigning in the same place; the alliance cannot tolerate divided loyalties during an election cycle.”
Reactions from SACP Leadership
SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila characterised the ultimatum as a demand for subordination without reciprocal benefit. In a statement released on 23 April 2026, Mapaila said:
The SACP has, for three decades, sacrificed its right to contest elections in order to strengthen the ANC. The party now asks for electoral submission while the ANC continues to act independently—a one‑sided arrangement that undermines the principles of the alliance.
Mapaila instructed SACP members not to comply individually with the ANC’s directive and announced that central committee members would be deployed to districts to assist those caught in the crossfire, particularly officials who hold government positions, ANC offices or public office.
The SACP’s stance highlights a growing tension with other GNU partners. Mapaila pointed out that parties such as the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP)—historical opponents of the liberation movement—are now accommodated within the Government of National Unity, whereas the SACP, a long‑standing ally, faces electoral exclusion.
Impact on Dual‑Membership Officials
The directive places several high‑profile leaders in a precarious position. Ministers Gwede Mantashe (Mineral Resources and Energy), Buti Manamela (Higher Education, Science and Innovation) and Deputy Finance Minister David Masondo all hold dual membership in the ANC and SACP. Under the new rule, each must choose either to resign their SACP affiliation or risk losing their ANC‑linked party roles and, potentially, their ministerial appointments.
Political analysts at the University of Cape Town’s Department of Political Studies note that such a forced choice could trigger a reshuffle within the cabinet, especially if officials opt to retain their SACP ties and consequently step down from ANC leadership posts.
Broader Political Context
The ANC’s move comes amid declining electoral support in recent municipal polls, where the party’s share fell below 50 % in several metropolitan areas for the first time since 1994. Observers suggest that the leadership is attempting to consolidate its electoral base by eliminating perceived internal dissent.
Meanwhile, the SACP continues to mobilise through its mass‑based structures, emphasizing issues such as wage inequality, land reform and public sector investment. Whether the party will pursue independent candidacy in future elections remains uncertain, but the current standoff signals a potential realignment of South Africa’s left‑wing politics.
Update: 23 April 2026 – This article has been revised to reflect the latest statements from ANC and SACP officials and to incorporate the most recent electoral data available from the Independent Electoral Commission.
