The South African Communist Party (SACP) has decided to contest the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE) independently of the ANC.
General Secretary Solly Mapaila said that at its 5th Special National Conference in the next two weeks, the party will finalise the specifics of its independent campaign plan.
Bilateral talks with the ANC will continue and be reviewed in January, Mapaila added, even though the SACP told the ANC of its decision during a meeting last week.
“After the Special National Congress, the Political Bureau and the Central Committee will delve into tactical details towards the 2026 local government elections.
“Following our all-important bilateral meeting with the ANC on November 24, 2024, going forward our engagement will be firmly guided by the outcomes of our Special National Congress,” he said.
The SACP has previously put up candidates in the Free State’s Metsimaholo Local Municipality.
Mapaila told the media that the decision to contest the elections was taken last year, but the decision was made to pause the move to support the ANC and also because of how the “imperialist forces” fought to bring the ANC down.
He agreed that the SACP will be on the ballot paper in 2026.
“We want to contest elections to win them and drive a radical social transformation agenda that can serve the interest of the majority of our people in this country and not the interest of the minority few, white racists and capitalists,” he said.
The general secretary has repeatedly expressed disappointment with the ANC for going into coalition with the Democratic Alliance in the Government of National Unity.
But the two organisations met last week to iron out their differences, especially on the GNU matter.
[Photo: Screenshot/SABC]