SACP orders Western Cape deployees to ignore ANC expulsions

The South African Communist Party (SACP) in the Western Cape has instructed its provincial secretary Benson Ngqentsu and councillors facing expulsion from the ANC to stay in their roles. At a media briefing on September 1, 2026, SACP chair Anthony Dietrich announced that the party has told all its deployed officials to disregard the ANC's dismissal notices.

Dietrich emphasized that these public representatives were chosen to serve their communities and champion the working class's interests. He warned that the SACP would not tolerate political coercion or administrative actions aimed at silencing its representatives or weakening the independent voice of communists in the legislature and council chambers.

The directive follows the ANC's request to the Western Cape Speakers to recognize their summary expulsions and request the declaration of vacancies. Ngqentsu expressed shock at being removed on the pretext of joining other political organizations. He stressed that the SACP's decision to contest upcoming local government elections was the reason for their removal.

Dietrich accused the ANC of acting unilaterally and presuming that the Tripartite Alliance partners were merely tools for the ANC's convenience. He criticized the ANC for moving away from its leadership role in the alliance to a dictatorial stance towards its communist partners. Ngqentsu and other SACP representatives were not disciplined due to any wrongdoing; their dismissal is a political purge aimed at their unwavering allegiance to the SACP and their dedication to the National Democratic Revolution and the Alliance Election Manifesto.

The SACP remains committed to contesting the local government elections independently of the ANC, as demonstrated by their fielding of councillors in all wards in Cape Town and 94% of the province. Ngqentsu stated that the SACP Central Executive Committee decided to challenge the removals politically and legally, initiating a national and provincial level response.

The ANC spokesperson, Sifiso Mtsweni, revealed that Fikile Mbalula had urged all ANC members to indicate in writing whether they will campaign for the ANC or the SACP. He also asserted that the ANC public representatives were now required to campaign for the ANC, and those who support other organizations risk expulsion from their duties.