ANC and SACP members given 10 days to choose campaign side

The African National Congress has given members who also belong to the South African Communist Party a 10-day deadline to declare which party they will campaign for in the upcoming local government elections.

Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg on Monday, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said letters would be issued to affected members, requiring them to choose between the ANC and the SACP.

The move follows a recent ANC Special National Executive Committee meeting, convened to address the SACP’s decision to contest elections independently — a shift that has created tension within the alliance.

Mbalula made it clear that dual membership would not allow for divided campaigning. “They can’t have it both ways,” he said, adding that consequences would follow for those who fail to respond within the deadline.

The development signals a significant moment in alliance politics, particularly as both parties prepare for the next round of local elections. For members active in both structures, the decision could affect their political roles and standing within their respective organisations.

At the same briefing, the ANC said its Local Government Action Plan — part of its 2026 “Year of Decisive Action” — is beginning to show results. The plan focuses on stabilising municipalities and improving service delivery.

According to Mbalula, eight municipalities were placed under turnaround strategies, with six already showing signs of stabilisation. He also cited the restoration of 31 passenger rail corridors and stricter accountability measures for councillors as part of efforts to improve governance.

While the impact of these interventions will likely be tested in the upcoming elections, the immediate focus remains on internal alignment, as alliance partners navigate a changing political landscape.