The South African Communist Party (SACP) in Limpopo has officially signaled that it will not be deterred by recent political hostility, reaffirming its commitment to contest the upcoming 2026 local government elections independently.
Following its first Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) meeting held on Sunday, 28 June 2026, the Party has laid out a clear path focused on building a socialist alternative for the province.
The meeting, which took place in the wake of a highly successful 9th Provincial Congress, was marked by a spirit of defiance against what the Party describes as a coordinated neoliberal offensive. The SACP leadership stated that the Party is entering the electoral space to challenge a prevailing economic system that it believes has failed to address poverty, unemployment, and deep-seated inequality.
A major point of contention highlighted by the PEC is the recent targeting of SACP leaders by the African National Congress (ANC) in Limpopo. The SACP has condemned the removal of its Provincial Secretary, Dr. Chuene William Malebana, from the provincial legislature. This move followed his refusal to collapse the Party’s independent stance in the province.
In a further escalation of these tensions, the ANC in Limpopo has moved rapidly to replace Dr. Malebana in his role as the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health. He has been replaced by Thabo Mabotja, a member of the committee who is currently serving his first term in the Limpopo Provincial Legislature.
This shuffle is seen by many as part of a broader programme of victimisation against Party cadres who have been vocal about corruption and failures in service delivery.
The SACP has demanded the immediate reversal of these decisions, which it labels as anti-Alliance and destructive to the spirit of the National Democratic Revolution. According to the PEC, these actions constitute an unprecedented attack on the Party, intended to weaken its influence not just in Limpopo, but across the country.
Despite these challenges, the SACP remains focused on its organisational renewal. During the meeting, the PEC officially constituted its Provincial Working Committee to provide leadership between meetings.
Dr. Chuene Malebana continues in his role as Provincial Secretary, supported by Provincial Chairperson Percy Ndlala, Treasurer Jeanette Mashego, and other newly elected leaders tasked with driving the Party’s programme.
The Party also addressed the international political situation, expressing solidarity with the people of Swaziland, Palestine, and Cuba, while paying tribute to the people of Venezuela following recent hardships in that country.
On the ground, the mood remains optimistic. The SACP reported that its members, “Red Brigades,” and volunteers are actively reconnecting with workers in factories, as well as engaging with traditional authorities, religious institutions, and local communities. The Party aims to build a democratic and accountable local government that prioritizes the needs of the people before profit.
As the 2026 elections approach, the SACP has called upon its national Central Committee to urgently address these disputes with the ANC’s National Executive Committee. The Party emphasised that previous elections were fought on agreed Alliance principles and that the current climate of intimidation threatens the historical unity of the movement.
The SACP’s message to its members and the public is clear: the Party is bigger than the current political attacks. With a new leadership team in place and a programme centered on the struggles of the poor and the working class, the SACP in Limpopo is positioning itself to be a significant force in the upcoming local government elections.