ANC and SACP alliance on the edge of disintegration

The ANC-led tripartite alliance in South Africa is facing severe turmoil, and could be on the brink of disintegration. Despite leaders' reluctance to acknowledge it, deep fractures are evident between the parties. The ANC appears to be pushing the alliance towards a breaking point, as they initiate parallel election campaigns, revealing their diverging paths. Tensions between them have escalated in the run-up to local government elections.

At the Police Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) Central Executive Committee (CEC) gathering in Boksburg, the tension was palpable. SACP general secretary Solly Mapaila and ANC counterpart Fikile Mbalula were slated to face-off, but Mbalula quickly withdrew, leaving ANC MP Cassel Mathale to represent him. The atmosphere was so charged that insults were traded between the speakers.

The situation escalated further when the ANC dismissed SACP's Western Cape regional secretary Benson Ngqentsu from his position in the provincial legislature. Ngqentsu, known for his leftist views and socialist advocacy, aligns himself with the SACP and the working class. This move underscores the growing rift within the alliance and sets the stage for a new chapter in their contentious relationship.

The SACP's hardline stance against the ANC's neoliberal policies has been simmering for some time. However, it has intensified under Mapaila's leadership. Unlike his predecessors, who were more accommodating, Mapaila is firmly rooted in Chris Hani's ideology. He is highly critical of the ANC's alignment with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and believes it is drifting towards neoliberalism. The SACP's disappointment stems from the ANC's abandonment of its original leftward policies.

Mapaila's rhetoric at the Popcru CEC was particularly strong, as he expressed his disdain for the government of national unity's Operation Vulindlela, viewing it as a strategy favoring big business over the needs of the masses. Despite being a small faction, the SACP holds significant influence within the alliance. Historically, it provided intellectual guidance that shaped the ANC's initial leftward policies, but has since drifted away.

Now, the SACP seeks to gain more ground, which is becoming increasingly challenging as other parties, like Cosatu, also vie for its support.

The key question remains: will Cosatu ally with the SACP or ANC? Ngqentsu believes Cosatu's priorities should lie with the working class and workers' interests. However, the response from prominent SACP leaders is mixed, with some expressing their willingness to vote for the ruling ANC. This complicates the already fragile alliance.