ANC faces mass defections as members join SACP in North West
The ANC North West PEC ordered an investigation as members, including mayors and chief whips, jumped ship to the SACP.
The ANC faces a significant challenge as many of its members defect to the South African Communist Party (SACP) and contest the upcoming local elections on November 4. In response, the ANC intends to expel these members before they officially leave the party. However, this may prove ineffective, as some incumbent councillors are already at odds with the ANC within their respective municipalities.
The North West provincial executive committee (PEC) of the ANC has launched an investigation into the defections, focusing on its branch executive committee (BEC) members and sitting councillors.
Several ANC members have defected to various parties, including the SACP, the Patriotic Alliance (PA), uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), and the SLK Independent Party. Some have also opted to run as independent candidates in the elections. SACP candidates among the defectors include Boipelo Marekoa, a PEC member and mayor of Rustenburg; Thabo Mashomo, chair of the public accounts committee in Rustenburg; Mojalefa Mosupa, the MMC for sport, arts, and culture in Matlosana; Letswane Ramothibi, ANC chief whip in Naledi municipality; and Pitso Gulane, the council speaker in Naledi and ward councillor for ward 3.
The investigation by the ANC is targeting BEC and branch executive task team members, public representatives, and those serving in state organizations. Defectors are reportedly scattered across all ANC regions, such as Bojanala, Ngaka Modiri Molema, Kenneth Kaunda, and Dr Ruth Segomotso Mompati. In Rustenburg alone, seven ANC members have switched to the SACP, including ward councillors Papi Ratele, Keaobaka Sefike, and Nick Rakolle.
Other North West municipalities, such as Kabelo Letsatsi, Thapelo Sehemo, Alfred Thale, Bernard Kenosi, Mlungisi Mbele, and Obakeng Kgonare, have also experienced losses of ANC ward councillors who have joined the MK party.
In Naledi municipality, former mayor Daddy Gaeralwe, who defected to the PA, appears on that party's candidate list, while SACP candidate Onkarabile Tong joined the council from Greater Taung. The ANC's North West regional coordinator and secretaries have been instructed to identify those defecting to other parties, with some opting to affiliate with the PA, MK, or SLK Independent Party.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
