LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026: SACP’s strong showing signals end of the Tripartite Alliance
In its first showing, the SACP beat the Patriotic Alliance, winning 271 seats.
In the local elections of 2026, the South African Communist Party (SACP) made a strong showing, beating the Patriotic Alliance to win 271 seats. SACP general secretary Solly Mapaila, dressed in a red Cuban shirt, was visibly pleased with the results. For the first time, the SACP ran independently, distancing itself from the ANC, which had been a part of the Tripartite Alliance.
The ANC's performance was described as "catastrophic," receiving only 32% of the national vote. The SACP's victory can be attributed to their go-it-alone strategy and support from trade unions, particularly in Nelson Mandela Bay, Limpopo, and North West. The party's support was less strong in Gauteng, where voters shifted to other parties like Action SA and the Democratic Alliance.
The SACP won more seats than the Patriotic Alliance, while the Rise Mzansi party won nine seats. The ANC still holds the largest number of seats and control over 53 councils and 128 wards. However, the SACP's decision to run independently marks the end of the Tripartite Alliance, which has been a defining feature of South African politics for 32 years.
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