PRETORIA, Gauteng — The South African Communist Party (SACP) has officially accused the African National Congress (ANC) of harassing members ahead of the upcoming local government elections. Speaking at the party’s recent manifesto launch, SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila condemned the escalating pressure on dual-membership cadres, warning that divisions within the historic tripartite alliance have reached a “fever pitch” as individuals are being forced to choose sides between the two allied organizations.
Mapaila firmly stated that the SACP will not accept the continued harassment of its members simply because they maintain their membership in the ANC. He highlighted a perceived double standard in the current political climate, noting that the ANC tolerates right-wing forces, including the Freedom Front and the Democratic Alliance (DA), within the Government of National Unity on a daily basis, yet turns its scrutiny inward on its communist allies.
This political friction has already resulted in tangible consequences for key SACP figures. Newly elected North West SACP Provincial Secretary Smuts Matshe and Limpopo SACP Provincial Secretary Dr. Chuene Malebana were recently removed from their respective roles as chairpersons of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) and the Health Portfolio Committee. Furthermore, Dr. Malebana is currently defying a direct ANC instruction to resign from the Limpopo provincial legislature, signaling a deepening rift over political deployment and loyalty.
The strain within the alliance was further visible at the SACP’s manifesto launch, where several senior central committee members were notably absent. These included prominent figures who currently serve under President Cyril Ramaphosa as ministers or deputy ministers, namely Stan Mathabatha, David Masondo, Polly Boshielo, and Blade Nzimande. Addressing the absences, Mapaila confirmed that the majority of the central committee was present and noted that Nzimande had formally tendered his apology for missing the event.
Highlighting the severity of the internal political tensions, a delegate representing the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) offered a forthright assessment of the situation. Underscoring the ideological and strategic fractures within the movement, the delegate remarked, “We have also learned that there can be red communist and yellow communist,” reflecting the growing unease among allied stakeholders as the local government elections approach.
