RAMAPHOSA SLAMS DUAL ANC-SACP MEMBERS: "PICK A SIDE

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa addressing ANC Limpopo 11th elective conference.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief, The Azanian

Truth. Fearless. Unfiltered.

ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa has warned members with dual ANC-SACP membership that they will face consequences if they don't campaign for the ANC in the upcoming local government elections.

"When you have aligned yourself with another organisation, and you don’t campaign for the ANC, and we see you campaigning for another party, now you are going to get yourself into big trouble with us, and first of all with me because I expect you to campaign for the ANC," Ramaphosa told the ANC Limpopo conference.

He emphasized that every ANC member must campaign for the party, and those who don't will face disciplinary action. "So those who are in other parties are in trouble because there will be consequences; they will find themselves in hot water." Ramaphosa added, "I know that we are going to have to address fully and completely to clarify this issue of the SACP because members of the SACP are also members of the ANC. Now, we say every ANC member, underline, every ANC member must campaign for the ANC."

The ANC's national executive committee is expected to make a final determination on dual membership at its next meeting. Ramaphosa's statement has sparked debate, with some seeing it as a sign of the ANC's desperation to maintain its alliance with the SACP.

The tension between the ANC and SACP was evident recently when Limpopo delegates booed SACP's 2nd Deputy Provincial Secretary, Percy Ndlala, during the 11th Provincial Elective Conference, where Dr Phophi Ramathuba, also an SACP Deputy Provincial Chairperson, was elected as the ANC's Provincial Chairperson and Limpopo's first female Premier.

SACP General Secretary, Solly Mapaila, slammed the ANC leadership for fostering an environment of division and disrespect, saying, "Comrade Ndlala was denied a platform to speak simply because he represents the SACP. This behavior undermines the alliance and shows a lack of respect for our partnership.

The ANC must understand that the SACP has its own decisions and deserves reciprocal respect." Mapaila also highlighted the SACP's role in grooming Dr Ramathuba, saying, "The SACP played a pivotal role in grooming Dr Ramathuba, who now leads the ANC in Limpopo.

This shows the SACP's influence and contribution to ANC leadership, yet the ANC denies our members basic courtesy." Mapaila accused senior ANC officials of fueling tension with their utterances and revealed that the SACP has resolved to contest elections independently, starting with by-elections.