By Simon Nare
Alliance partners the ANC and the South African Communist Party (SACP) publicly traded barbs on Thursday, entrenching their opposing positions in a spat that showed no sign of easing.
Despite the escalating war of words, with ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula accusing SACP leader Solly Mapaila of being “bipolar”, and Mapaila dismissing Mbalula as a “stooge”, both leaders reiterated their parties’ commitment to the Tripartite alliance.
The two organisations held separate media briefings on Thursday in Johannesburg.
Mapaila fired the first salvo, saying the SACP would not accept ultimatums, particularly from what he described as “stooges of capital.” He also rejected the ANC’s directive requiring members with dual membership to choose between the two organisations ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.
But Mbalula hit back in characteristically combative fashion, saying the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) had in fact issued clear expectations to SACP members ahead of the polls.
He said the NEC had reaffirmed that all ANC members are obliged to campaign for the party and its candidates in every election.
“This obligation is binding on all members, including those who hold dual membership with the SACP,” said Mbalula.
“The NEC clarified that the decision by the SACP to contest elections independently carries clear organisational consequences. These include that the SACP will not participate in ANC election structures, processes, campaign activities or candidate lists, and that all ANC members are required to act in full compliance with the Constitution.”
He added that the NEC had directed all ANC members, including those in leadership structures and public office, to declare whether they would campaign for the ANC or the SACP.
“Failure to do so will be interpreted as a commitment to campaign for the ANC in accordance with the Oath of Membership,” said Mbalula.
“Any conduct that undermines the ANC’s electoral campaign will attract immediate organisational action to safeguard the integrity and cohesion of the movement.”
Mbalula said letters had already been sent to members requiring written confirmation of where they stand.
While dual membership is permitted under the ANC constitution, he said it is impractical for members to campaign for both parties as this would confuse voters.
He said the ANC had, over an extended period, engaged the SACP and other alliance partners in an effort to preserve unity, but these efforts had failed to yield results as the SACP continued preparations to contest elections.
“We have written to all provinces following our engagements on this matter. This communiqué has gone out to all our structures. The decision is effective as of today and will be reviewed after 10 days,” said Mbalula.
“The instruction is that this decision will be monitored from branch, regional and provincial executive levels. Members are required, within 10 days, to report to branch secretaries on their intentions.”
Mbalula also warned that members who ignore the instruction and are found to be campaigning for another party would face consequences.
“We will take steps to safeguard the constitution of the ANC,” he said, adding that those in public office could be removed if they campaign for the SACP.
He also rejected Mapaila’s claim that the alliance reconfiguration process had stalled, saying those matters were being addressed.
“We had agreed on these matters and then, suddenly, a conference makes a resolution,” he said.
SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila. PHOTO: X/Supplied
Mapaila, however, said the SACP would not give in to ultimatums.
“The SACP will not accede to ultimatums from another organisation. Matters arising from this ANC manoeuvre must be handled collectively and politically through SACP structures. We equally understand if some members decide to remain with the ANC, and we will respect that,” said Mapaila.
“Every SACP member must remain calm, organised and politically focused. No disciplined comrade must act individually under pressure or improvisation. No comrade must submit to intimidation and ultimatums, make unilateral declarations, tender resignations, or take strategic decisions affecting SACP membership without consultation with the Party.”
Mapaila described the ANC’s directive requiring written declarations of loyalty as irresponsible and urged members not to be intimidated.
“We do not take instructions from capital or complete stooges,” he said.
“We equally understand if some members decide to remain with the ANC. We will respect that. But they must not undermine their own history and discipline by acceding to unnecessary ultimatums.”
He said the ANC, through internal directives, had sought to turn a tactical disagreement into a disciplinary matter directed at communists within its ranks.
“The Party rejects this approach with the contempt it deserves,” Mapaila said.
He added that the ANC NEC leadership had moved beyond a tactical disagreement over the SACP’s decision to contest the 2026 local government elections independently.
“We reject it not because we reject discipline; ours is a party of iron discipline, but because no genuine alliance can be sustained on the basis of coercion,” he said.
“The strategic alliance has never meant the liquidation of the Communist Party into the ANC. Dual membership was never meant to abolish the SACP’s right to think, organise, campaign and develop tactics as an independent party of the working class. And the problems confronting the national democratic forces did not arise because the SACP chose to contest elections.”
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