ANC kicks out SACP from joint election structures

THE ANC's National General Council (NGC) has resolved that members of its alliance partner, the  SACP, should recuse themselves from the party’s joint election structures.

This was announced by ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa in his closing remarks at the NGC meeting at the Birchwood Hotel in Ekurhuleni, where the organisation was reviewing its performance.

His remarks followed the delivery of the NGC declaration by ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula. 

The declaration was adopted without objection after being seconded by ANC Gauteng co-convener Panyaza Lesufi, followed by delegates from Limpopo. 

ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe confirmed its adoption.

In his address, Ramaphosa tackled the SACP’s decision to contest the 2026 local government elections independently. 

He said the NGC had expressed deep concern over the weakened state of the tripartite alliance, which includes the ANC, SACP and Cosatu.

“This NGC has raised deep concern about the negative impact of the current state of the alliance on the ability of the progressive forces to execute a revolutionary agenda to defend and advance the NDR,” he said, referring to the National Democratic Revolution.

Ramaphosa said the NGC supported the ANC NEC’s view that the SACP’s resolution to field and fund its own candidates in the 2026 local government elections carries both tactical and strategic implications for the alliance.

He added that the NGC had resolved that SACP members serving in joint ANC joint election structures should “recuse” themselves.

“It has been agreed that the alliance leadership must meet urgently to develop a common approach to the reconfiguration and renewal of the alliance in a manner that safeguards unity and cohesion and avoids further confusion, division and conflict among the rank and file of the NDR,” he said. 

“And I know this may sound like a broken record, but we should, in a painstaking way, continue to engage.”

Ramaphosa emphasised that the ANC, as the leader of the alliance, must not abandon its responsibility to build unity, including through continued engagement with the SACP.

“However, as we continue to persuade each other, we will need to request SACP members who have been participating in our joint election structures to recuse themselves,” he said. 

“A number of them themselves feel they will be conflicted, and they are recusing themselves until we solve this problem. And I have confidence that we will solve this.”

The SACP has maintained that it plans to contest elections independently while remaining in the tripartite alliance. 

SACP general secretary Solly Mapaila has repeatedly criticised the Government of National Unity (GNU), arguing that the inclusion of the Democratic Alliance (DA) does not advance the interests of Black people and workers.

ANCYL president Collen Malatji also weighed in on Wednesday, saying, “If you are contesting us, you cannot be with us. You cannot sit and strategise with us. The issue of dual membership is no longer going to work.”

“We treat the SACP the same way we treat the DA and the EFF. They are contesting us against the programme of the National Democratic Revolution.”

Cape Times