Cape Town – The South African Communist Party (SACP) has announced its decision to contest the 2026 Local Government Elections independently, breaking from its long-standing alliance with the African National Congress (ANC).
Speaking at the end of their Central Committee meeting, General-Secretary Solly Mapaila said that the specifics of the SACP’s independent campaign will be finalised at its 5th Special National Conference in two weeks.
According to SABC, this is not the party’s first independent electoral effort, having previously fielded candidates in the Metsimaholo Local Municipality in the Free State.
Mapaila confirmed that the SACP has formally communicated its decision to the ANC and will further discuss the matter during bilateral talks in January.
“We had indicated to the ANC that we have taken a decision to contest local elections as the SACP. So, officially and formally now this has been communicated to the ANC,” he said.
Mapaila revealed that the decision to contest elections independently was made last year but was postponed to support the ANC and counter efforts by “imperialist forces” seeking to weaken the ruling party, IOL reported.
“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.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
