Mantashe tells SACP members to remain in ANC and drive party programme

By Simon Nare

ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe has taken a swipe at alliance partner the South African Communist Party (SACP) for contesting political power independently, saying a good communist should remain in the ANC and drive its programme rather than belong to a faction.

He also cited a long list of SACP leaders who held senior positions in the ANC while remaining committed to their communist membership.

Mantashe was addressing a community meeting in Alicedale in the Eastern Cape during a campaign blitz, where he presented the ANC manifesto to residents of Makana in the Sarah Baartman region and outlined the movement’s six commitments to building better communities and strengthening local government.

“There are people who call themselves communists who have left to be independent. I have told you about the leaders of the past SACP who served in the ANC. To be a good communist you must be