Nomvula Mokonyane, a senior official of the African National Congress (ANC), has articulated a firm stance against members of the South African Communist Party (SACP), threatening them with immediate disciplinary action and a call for an end to dual membership inside government bodies.
At a party engagement, Mokonyane made the accusation that the South African Communist Party (SACP) was attempting to run for elections while still receiving backing and resources from the African National Congress (ANC). She stated that such a move would be detrimental to the honour of the African National Congress (ANC) and would cause the long-standing relationship between the two organisations to become unstable.
Mokonyane stated that the South African Communist Party (SACP) has made the choice to contest and effectively take our own constituency by utilising our resources. They wish to follow in the footsteps of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party in KwaZulu-Natal, but we are currently in a much more mature position.
Her statements indicate that tensions are increasing inside the tripartite alliance, which also includes the Congress of South African Trade Unions. Mokonyane gave the impression that the National General Council (NGC) of the African National Congress (ANC) has already made the decision to deal with the issue head-on.
“The National Government Council has given us instructions to go and tell Solly Mapaila and his people to leave the African National Congress (ANC) so that we can meet them on the ground,” she stated, indicating that she was eager for the parties to engage in open political competition with one another.
Mokonyane went on to reveal that the African National Congress (ANC) is getting ready to take decisive action against members of the South African Communist Party (SACP) who are currently serving in government and municipal roles through ANC organisations. It has been said by her that these persons will be compelled to make a declaration regarding their political affiliation.
“We would have terminated a significant number of SACP deployees before the end of this month,” she declared with certainty. “Those who are to be deployed by the African National Congress (ANC) in municipalities and government will be compelled to choose which party they wish to belong to.”
It was emphasised by her that the African National Congress (ANC) will no longer tolerate dual membership, as she saw it as being incompatible with the current strategic direction of the party.
“As soon as they decide to join the SACP, they are terminated. It is not going to be possible to have dual membership anymore,” Mokonyane stated.
Analysts believe that the growing language is a reflection of the deepening divisions that are occurring inside the alliance, despite the fact that the SACP has not yet provided an official response to these assertions. There could be severe administrative and political repercussions if officials linked with the SACP were to be removed from their posts in the administration.
In particular, if both parties move toward direct electoral competition, observers warn that a rupture in relations between the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP) may transform the political landscape of South Africa.
