By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) and South African Communist Party (SAPC) held their first bilateral meeting to discuss the state of their alliance.
The meeting that took place on Sunday discussed the escalating tensions within the tripartite alliance.
President Cyril Ramaphosa and his deputy, Paul Mashatile led the ANC delegation, while the SACP was led by General Secretary Solly Mapaila and its chairperson Blade Nzimande.
Fullview learnt that the ANC’s coalition with the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Government of National Unity (GNU) took the centre stage during the talks.
The SACP has accused the ANC of holding secret talks with the DA in March about forming a coalition government well before 29 May general elections.
The party has also accused Ramaphosa and other pro-business people in the ANC of rushing to form a GNU with the DA to win the approval of big business.
In response, the ANC has accused SACP of inappropriately speaking publicly about internal issues which he should raise within the relevant structures of the alliance.
Speaking on the sidelines of the bilateral meeting, ANC Spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said they want to ensure that the alliance works for the people.
“We are intentional about making sure that this historic alliance works for the benefit those we (revere) as the motive forces, those people that yearned for he gains of freedom and that this alliance must work towards that and must ensure that we deliver service for our people that they yearn for so much,” said Bhengu-Motsiri
SACP spokesperson Alex Mashilo said the party would formally raise its concerns to the ANC’s top brass.
“It is the first bilateral meeting since the elections we held in May 2024. It will be reflecting on the developments that unfolded following the elections and the state of the moment we are in right now, particularly with attention to the conditions of the masses of the people.”
The SACP indicated that will use its December conference to review its decades-long relationship with the ANC over concerns that the partnership has undermined its political independence and diluted its influence.
The party will gather for its fifth special national congress in Ekurhuleni from 11 to 14 December in part to discuss how the ANC has blurred its identity and limited its ability to work effectively with the working class.
While the SACP does not advocate splitting the alliance, it emphasised the need to redefine its role and regain its independence.
It proposes a strategic pivot ahead of the 2026 local government elections, including the establishment of an election management structure and a renewed focus on mobilising working-class voters.