Fracture in the tripartite alliance? SACP to contest 2026 elections independently, says Solly Mapaila

South African Communist Party (SACP) general secretary, Solly Mapaila, reaffirmed the party's decision to contest the upcoming local government elections independently.

In his address to the SACP's Fifth Special National Congress on Thursday, Mapaila explained that the SACP’s decision to break away from the African National Congress (ANC) for the local elections was rooted in several pressing concerns about the current state of the alliance. 

“The arrogance of political power, factionalism, corruption, and the use of politics to divide and weaken the liberation movement have brought us here,” he said.

He said that the SACP’s decision was not about severing ties with the ANC but about asserting its independence to continue the fight for socialism and the working class.

Mapaila made it clear that the decision was not taken lightly and came after the SACP’s Central Committee had already expressed its intent to contest local elections. 

He pointed to the lack of a reconfiguration in the alliance as a key reason for this decision, noting that the SACP could no longer continue to be sidelined in the face of internal struggles and external challenges.

“We decided that we would contest the next local government election. We did so because the reconfiguration of the alliance has not taken place yet,” he said. 

His announcement followed the party's public declaration earlier in December, where they outlined their intent to proceed with the elections on their own terms, despite ongoing discussions with the ANC​.

Despite the long-standing alliance with the ANC, Mapaila outlined key reasons for this shift, emphasising the need for ideological independence and a renewed focus on the party's core mission of advancing socialism.

This decision would prioritise the party’s role in advancing the revolutionary struggle of the working class and not merely acting as an electoral machine, he said.

At the same time, Mapaila reiterated that the SACP remained committed to its relationship with the ANC, acknowledging that the primary ally in the fight for democracy and socialism would continue to play an important role. 

However, the decision to contest independently was presented as a necessary step to reclaim the party’s ideological and political integrity.

He also addressed recent misreporting about the SACP’s position on supporting the national elections.

He clarified that while the SACP would not contest the general elections, they were resolute in their decision to participate in local government elections, regardless of the state of the alliance. 

This decision had been kept under wraps until the SACP could hold a proper bilateral meeting with the ANC, which took place only a few weeks prior to the Congress.

The speech also touched on the broader challenges faced by the movement, with Mapaila acknowledging the internal reactions the SACP might face from those who resist change within the party. 

He stressed that this independence would require “ideological purification,” as the party works to distance itself from what it perceives as harmful influences that have infiltrated its ranks.

Mapaila ended his address by reiterating the SACP’s commitment to the National Democratic Revolution (NDR), the struggle for proportionality, and the empowerment of the working class. 

"We remain committed to the NDR, committed to proportionality, and committed to the struggle of the working people in our country," he affirmed.

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