The South African Communist Party, General Secretary, Solly Mapaila.
The South African Communist Party (SACP) has officially drawn a line in the sand. In a powerful circular released on April 23, 2026, the Party sent a clear message to its long-term ally: it will not be intimidated, and it will not be silenced. This response comes after the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) issued a directive regarding dual membership and the SACP’s plan to contest the 2026 local government elections independently.
A History of One-Sided Support
For three decades, the SACP has been a loyal partner to the ANC. The Party notes that it has never disciplined its members for building, voting for, or campaigning for the ANC. In fact, the SACP has often set aside its own right to contest elections to ensure the Alliance remained strong.
However, the SACP now argues that the “golden rules of justice” are being broken. The leadership claims the ANC expects one-sided support but is not prepared to offer the same in return. They believe that being forced into permanent subordination is unfair and politically dangerous.
Rejecting the “Anti-Communist” Ultimatum
The SACP describes the ANC’s latest move as a “serious anti-communist political move”. According to the circular, the ANC is trying to turn a tactical disagreement into a disciplinary threat. The ANC has reportedly demanded declarations from members and threatened action against those campaigning for the SACP.
The Communist Party rejects this approach with contempt. They state that no genuine alliance can be based on coercion. The SACP insists that dual membership was never meant to stop the Party from thinking or organizing independently.
The 2026 Independent Contest Remains On
The SACP is not backing down on its plan to contest the 2026 elections under its own banner. It views this move as a sober assessment of the crisis in local government and the need to represent the working class directly.
The leadership reminds its members that the SACP survived a total ban by the apartheid regime in 1950. They believe that no modern administrative threat can stop their mission. The decision to stand for elections was not taken lightly, and the Party intends to follow through without fear.
The “Line of March” for Members
To its members who also hold ANC membership, the SACP has issued a strict “line of march”:
Stay Calm: Members must remain organized and avoid individual panic.
No Unilateral Actions: No comrade should resign from the ANC or make private declarations without consulting SACP structures first.
Political Care: SACP branches must identify and protect members who are being pressured or threatened in their government or ANC jobs.
Deepen the Campaign: Every branch must intensify its work among the poor and the workers to explain why the SACP is contesting.
Focusing on the Real Enemy
The SACP warns that the ANC is focusing on the wrong danger. While the ANC leadership targets communists, the SACP argues that the real threats are “monopoly capital,” corruption, and the failure of local government to provide basic services.
The Party remains committed to the Alliance, but only if it is reconfigured on the basis of mutual respect. As the 2026 elections approach, the red flag will continue to fly, even if it has to fly alone at the ballot box.