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The Citizen
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
‘Dual membership not a punishable offence': SACP not scared of ANC ultimatum
SACP secretary-general Solly Mapaila expressed frustration with the lack of progress that the alliance is making in dealing with the country's challenges. The South African Communist Party (SACP) is undeterred by an ultimatum from the ANC ahead of next year's local government elections. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula told reporters on Wednesday that the SACP's decision to contest the election implies that their members will have to choose between the two parties. 'The implication of that decision says choose between the SACP and the ANC,' he said. Mbalula said the ANC shares strategic information with the SACP, but this could also change. 'We share our strategy in terms of contesting elections, and they also attend our strategy workshops. They participate in all the processes led by the ANC in terms of the appointment of public representatives and so on. This decision means that all of those things will be reviewed in terms of how we work with them,' he said. Don't give up ANC membership However, SACP spokesperson Mbulelo Mandlana said dual membership 'is not a punishable offence'. 'The principle of dual membership in the alliance predates the electoral era of the South African revolution. The inconveniences of the era of elections should not be used to justify undermining the centrality of the principle of dual membership.' Mandlana also said the SACP would not be held ransom by the ANC. 'The decisions of the individual alliance organisations are not subject to review by other organisations of the alliance; if that were the case, then the alliance would not be an alliance of equals but a subordination of some organisations by others. 'Against that backdrop, the very preposition that the ANC was engaged in an attempt to persuade the SACP against the express provisions of its national congress on contesting elections is not just incorrect but is contemptuous of the SACP as an organisation and indeed its members,' he said. Inside knowledge Mandlana said the SACP understands the implications of its decision to contest elections and would not interfere with the ANC's strategy. 'The ANC has a right to invite whom it wants to invite into its election strategy meetings, the SACP will not interfere in that. The same is true of the SACP,' he said. What about SACP leaders in government? The ultimatum has sparked concerns that SACP members who currently hold prominent positions in local and national government could be left out in the dark. In the longer term, it may raise questions about the future of Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Blade Nzimande and newly-appointed higher education minister Buti Manamela in Cabinet. Mandlana said SACP members in parliament and Cabinet have the right to be there since the party campaigned for the ANC in the previous elections. ALSO READ: 'If they want to bring sanctions, let them': Mbalula challenges Trump administration ANC 'arrogance' On the weekend, SACP secretary-general Solly Mapaila expressed frustration with the lack of progress that the alliance is making in dealing with the country's challenges. He blamed the ANC for this and described the party as arrogant. 'We are sick of attending meaningless meetings with the ANC. The ANC is arrogant to us, they sometimes tell us take it or leave it,' he told supporters at the party's 104th anniversary in KwaZulu-Natal. ALSO READ: Mbalula denies that ANC could not afford a venue to host NEC meeting
IOL News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
DA's exit from National Dialogue ‘political point-scoring,' and undermines the GNU, Says SACP
SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila. Tensions rise as the SACP accuses the DA of undermining stability within the Government of National Unity. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers The attitude of the DA of withdrawal from the upcoming National Dialogue is part of its general strategy to 'weaponise' government processes and its membership of the GNU to score political points for its own benefit. This is according to the South African Communist Party that noted the challenges between the ANC and the DA as key role players in the GNU with concern. 'Although the position of the SACP towards the current configuration of the GNU has consistently been that of principled criticism, it is still our view that political instability in the working of government is undesirable and does not serve in any way the citizens of the country that await leadership and services from government,' SACP spokesperson Mbulelo Mandlana told IOL News. Mandlana said the SACP believes that a sustainable political solution must be found for a stable political environment. SACP's general secretary Solly Mapaila has been a vocal critic of the GNU, which includes the DA, arguing that it does not represent the interests of black people. After its long criticism, the SACP has since announced that it will contest the upcoming 2026 local government elections independently, but not leaving the tripartite alliance would the ANC and COSATU. However, the ANC has pushed back against this move. 'For the SACP the alliance political platform remains the most suitable mechanism to unpack the challenges in the GNU and build a shared strategy and lasting solutions to the challenges facing the government,' Mandlana said. 'The South African revolution can ill-afford a continued instability or appearance of instability in its government administration.' This comes after the DA recently announced its withdrawal from the National Dialogue, just days after President Cyril Ramaphosa fired former deputy minister Andrew Whitfield, for travelling to the US without the president's permission. IOL News previously reported that former President Mbeki, in a 10 page open letter, criticised the DA for its decision to withdraw from the upcoming National Dialogue, calling the move 'misplaced and very strange', and accused the DA of acting 'against its own very direct interests.' However, DA leader John Steenhuisen has hit back at Mbeki's criticism, saying that the party would not participate in what he described as "another expensive talk shop" that would do nothing to improve people's lives. 'You sought my indulgence and now I must ask that you commit time for me to explain the DA's decision to stay away from yet another enormously expensive process that will predictably involve a lot of talking, but do nothing to advance open, transparent and corruption-free governance that South Africans so desperately desire,' Steenhuisen said. Steenhuisen also pointed out what he called a 'double standard' in how ANC ministers have been treated compared to the DA's deputy minister, Whitfield. He also criticised the dialogue's timing and origins, pointing out that Mbeki only called for it after the ANC's poor showing in recent elections. Suggesting it was a political move to regain lost support. Asked about the DA's stance, Mandlana said the SACP is also concerned about the recent changes to the National Dialogue, including Mbeki's withdrawal from the preparatory process. 'We believe these changes will not serve the objective of a truly transformational, inclusive and effective dialogue that leads to change instead it is a recipe for a government inclined process with bureaucratic characteristics with no popular and people centred outcomes.' Mandlana said the DA's actions reflect a broader political strategy. 'The attitude of the DA towards the National Dialogue, including its threat of withdrawal from it, are part of its general strategy to weaponise government processes and its membership of the GNU to score political points for its own benefit with little to no regard for the consequences of its actions the people of South Africa,' he told IOL News. [email protected] IOL Politics
