The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) says it is worried about rising tensions between the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP), following the SACP’s intention to contest elections independently.
The federation urged its alliance partners to avoid actions that could weaken the Tripartite Alliance, which includes the ANC, SACP and Cosatu.
The SACP has insisted it will contest the upcoming local government elections independently, while maintaining that it is not breaking away from the alliance. The ANC has strongly opposed the move.
Cosatu parliamentary co-ordinator Matthew Parks said the federation is concerned about recent developments, including public statements by alliance partners about one another.
“We fear these events serve only to weaken, not strengthen or unite, the alliance,” he said.
Parks said Cosatu values the alliance and the role each partner has played in the liberation struggle since 1994.
“Its unity has been forged in the sacrifices of generations from the building of the nascent trade union movement from the 1910s and beyond, to the convening of the historic Congress of the People at Kliptown in 1955, from the prison cells of Robben Island to the camps of uMkhonto we Sizwe in Angola.
“It has been epitomised by the heroic leadership of countless stalwarts, from Walter Sisulu to Joe Slovo, from Chris Hani to Ray Alexander, who were not only leaders of any single alliance partner, but in fact the entire liberation movement.”
Parks said the alliance not only led the struggle against apartheid but also helped establish South Africa’s constitutional democracy and drive transformation.
“With the working class facing a 41.1% unemployment rate, as well as high levels of poverty, inequality, crime and corruption, the need for coherent and decisive leadership remains as relevant as ever,” he said.
He said Cosatu has been deeply worried by tensions in the alliance.
“If these are not resolved with the necessary political maturity and strategic foresight, we fear they may worsen and potentially threaten the very survival of the alliance.
“The working class does not find comfort when leaders of the Alliance air their grievances with each other in public, more so when society, in particular the poor, battle to survive the rising cost of living, retrenchments, deteriorating public and municipal services, painful levels of crime, amongst many other dire challenges.”
Parks said Cosatu fears divisions could extend beyond the alliance to its membership and the broader working class.
“This would be a failure of leadership that generations such as Moses Kotane, Elijah Barayi and Nana Abrahams would not look kindly upon,” he said.
He added that Cosatu would seek the urgent convening of the alliance political council to address the issues ahead of what it expects to be highly contested local government elections.
Meanwhile, SACP general secretary Solly Mapaila said the party would not engage in “abuse” of the ANC, even as it requires members with dual membership to choose sides ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg last Thursday, Mapaila said the SACP would contest elections independently while remaining within the alliance.
“The SACP has never regarded the ANC as an enemy for contesting elections in its own right,” he said.
He said the party would not discipline members for campaigning for the ANC, but insisted its own decision to contest elections was deliberate.
Mapaila has long rejected the Government of National Unity (GNU) formed after the 2024 general elections, which includes the DA and FF Plus, saying it does not represent the interests of black people and the working class.
He added that the SACP would not respond to provocation or ultimatums.
“All SACP members who are also ANC members must conduct themselves with dignity and discipline,” he said.
The ANC has directed members with dual membership to declare whether they will campaign for the party or another political formation within 10 days.
The directive affects several senior leaders, including Gwede Mantashe, Buti Manamela, David Masondo and Polly Boshielo.
Meanwhile, in a separate media briefing on Thursday afternoon, the ANC’s NEC issued a directive requiring members who hold dual membership with the SACP to declare their allegiance.
This followed the ANC’s media briefing at Luthuli House in Johannesburg, where the NEC outlined its response to the SACP’s decision to contest elections independently.
The SACP, in its own briefing, rejected the ANC’s instruction for members to declare their allegiance.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said the NEC had clarified that the SACP’s decision to contest elections independently carries clear organisational consequences.
“These include that the SACP will not participate in ANC election structures, processes, campaign activities or candidate lists, and that all ANC members are required to act in full compliance with the Constitution,” he said.
He added that, to ensure clarity, consistency and discipline, the NEC had directed that all ANC members, including those 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,” Mbalula said.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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