Johannesburg – Ahead of Local Government Elections, the African National Congress (ANC) has announced that it will campaign separately from its alliance partner, the South African Communist Party (SACP).
The unprecedented move announced on Thursday, 23 April 2026, follows the SACP’s insistence on contesting the elections on its own.
The ANC, SACP, and the Congress of South African Trade Unions have long shared a historic political alliance – known as the “Tripartite Alliance”.
The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) is also considered part of the alliance.
However, increasingly frosty relations between the ANC and SACP have led to separate campaigns and demands for loyalty for those with dual membership.
ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula said a special National Executive Committee (NEC) took “a firm and unambiguous decision to provide organisational clarity, discipline and strategic direction ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections”.
Following the SACP resolution to contest elections independently, the ANC announced the following:
- The SACP will not participate in ANC election structures, campaigns, or candidate lists.
- ANC members who also belong to the SACP retain full rights within the ANC.
- However, no ANC member may campaign against ANC-endorsed candidates.
- All members are obligated to support ANC candidates in every election.
The ANC said in a statement made available to The Bulrushes that the Special NEC decision provides organisational clarity and discipline ahead of the elections.
“Members are urged to remain rooted in communities, focused on transformation, and united in defending the gains of freedom,” the statement said.
To ensure clarity, consistency, and discipline across the ANC, the NEC has directed that:
• All ANC members, including those serving in leadership structures and public office, must declare whether they will campaign for the ANC or any other political formation.
• Failure to do so will be interpreted as a commitment to campaign for the ANC in accordance with the Oath of Membership.
• Any conduct that undermines the ANC’s electoral campaign will attract immediate organisational action to safeguard the integrity and cohesion of the movement.
• The Secretary General has been mandated to communicate this position as a directive to all structures and members of the organisation, ensuring full organisational alignment as the ANC prepares for the upcoming electoral cycle.
“The ANC remains in alliance with the SACP, the COSATU, and SANCO, each an independent organisation with its own constitution, membership, and programmes,” the statement said.
The party emphasised that unity remains essential for building a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and prosperous South Africa.
