ANC Requires Dual Members to Declare Electoral Allegiance Ahead of 2026 Local Elections
The African National Congress (ANC) announced on Monday that, starting Thursday, any member who also belongs to the South African Communist Party (SACP) must declare which organisation they will campaign for in the forthcoming 2026 local government elections. The directive stems from Rule 25.17.14 of the ANC Constitution, which forbids members from standing for another political party.
Why the Rule Is Being Enforced Now
The ANC is in the midst of internal processes to select mayoral candidates, a step that precedes the formal launch of its election campaign in July 2025. Party Secretary‑General Fikile Mbalula explained the rationale:
“Dual membership in the SACP remains. But there is no dual participation in elections. When you contest, you decide whether you support the party or the ANC.”
The move aims to curb potential conflicts of interest during what is expected to be a tightly contested local election. The ANC lost its national majority in the 2024 general election and now governs through a coalition at both national and metropolitan levels, except in Mangaung and Buffalo City Metro.
Senior Figures Affected
Several high‑profile leaders who hold dual ANC‑SACP membership are now under scrutiny:
- Gwede Mantashe – Minister of Minerals and Petroleum Resources
- Buti Manamela – Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
- David Masondo – Deputy Minister of Finance
These officials have historically been active in both organisations, reflecting the long‑standing tripartite alliance between the ANC, SACP, and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). While the alliance remains intact, electoral strategy differences have occasionally surfaced at the municipal level, with the SACP sometimes contemplating independent candidacies.
Potential Consequences for Non‑Compliance
The ANC has not yet specified whether members who opt to campaign for the SACP will face disciplinary action. However, Rule 25.17.14 provides for sanctions, ranging from warnings to possible expulsion, for members who violate the provision.
Broader Electoral Context
Service‑delivery protests, chronic water shortages, and infrastructure backlogs have weakened the ANC’s standing in many municipalities. According to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), voter turnout in the 2021 local elections averaged 55 %, with the ANC securing approximately 46 % of the vote nationally—a decline from 54 % in 2016.
Analysts note that the upcoming 2026 contest will be a critical test of the ANC’s ability to retain urban strongholds amid rising support for opposition parties such as the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
Campaign Timeline and Candidate Selection
The ANC plans to finalize its mayoral candidate list by June 2025, after which the official election campaign will launch in July. The exact election date has not been set, but the earliest permissible date under the Municipal Structures Act is November 2026.
Regarding candidate selection, Mbalula emphasized a merit‑based approach:
“We will aim for the best and not limit ourselves to who was elected. If the leader of the region is the person among the respondents who we believe can become a mayoral candidate, then that is the case.”
The party also stated that it will look beyond its current membership for suitable candidates, asserting that regional chairpersons are not automatically barred from consideration.
Conclusion
By compelling dual members to choose a single electoral allegiance, the ANC seeks to uphold constitutional integrity while navigating a challenging political landscape. The effectiveness of this measure will likely become evident as the party finalises its candidate slate and enters the 2026 local election arena.
