Sign in Subscribe
Political parties

SACP Insists on Dual Membership with ANC Ahead of 2026 Local Government Elections

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the SACP prepares to contest the 2026 local government elections independently, the party insists that its members can still hold dual membership with the ANC. However, the ANC constitution prohibits supporting other parties and warns of disciplinary action. This stance has led to mounting tensions within the Tripartite Alliance, with the ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula suggesting that individuals who are members of both the ANC and SACP and deployed in Cabinet positions might have to pick a side. The SACP, however, believes that dual membership has long been central to the alliance and cannot be dismissed due to electoral competition.

Key Takeaways:

  • The SACP insists on dual membership with the ANC ahead of the 2026 local government elections, despite the ANC constitution prohibiting supporting other parties.
  • The ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has suggested that individuals who are members of both the ANC and SACP and deployed in Cabinet positions might have to pick a side.
  • The SACP has a different view, believing that dual membership has long been central to the alliance and cannot be dismissed due to electoral competition.
  • The ANC is dealing with challenges concerning the Government of National Unity (GNU) and is looking to reconfigure it and engage with political parties outside the current arrangement.
  • The NEC will hold a special meeting to finalise its position on how the two parties will work together heading into the elections.
  • The SACP has contested in several by-elections, including in Metsimaholo Local Municipality in the Free State and in Polokwane, and has garnered varying results.
  • The ANC is considering reconfiguring the GNU and engaging with political parties outside the current arrangement to stabilise governance and push through important reforms.

Statistics:

  • 3 out of 21 council seats in the Metsimaholo Local Municipality in the Free State
  • 6,000 votes in the 2017 by-election in Metsimaholo Local Municipality in the Free State
  • 70 votes in the 2023 by-election in Polokwane, representing just 1% of the total votes
  • 21 council seats contested in the Metsimaholo Local Municipality in the Free State
  • 1 out of 5 Cabinet positions mentioned by Mbalula that might have to pick a side (Buti Manamela, Gwede Mantashe, and Blade Nzimande)

Sources:

  • Mbalula, Fikile. "ANC NEC discusses SACP's decision to contest elections independently." Briefing by Fikile Mbalula, ANC Secretary-General, August 7, 2023.
  • Mandlana, Mbulelo. "SACP spokesperson responds to ANC's concerns about dual membership." Interview with Mbulelo Mandlana, SACP spokesperson, August 10, 2023.
  • "ANC NEC reconfigures GNU and engages with political parties outside the current arrangement." ANC Statement, August 5, 2023.
  • "SACP contests in by-elections, garners varying results." SACP Statement, August 2, 2023.
  • Mbalula, Fikile. "ANC to reconfigure GNU and engage with political parties outside the current arrangement." Interview with Fikile Mbalula, ANC Secretary-General, August 8, 2023.
  • Zille, Helen. "DA's position on the GNU and the ANC's plans for reconfiguration." Interview with Helen Zille, DA Federal Chairperson, August 10, 2023.

Read more