Wednesday, 15 April 2026:- The South African Communist Party (SACP) held bilateral meeting with the African National Congress (ANC) at Luthuli House i Johannesburg following an invitation of the SACP to the meeting. The bilatera occurred after the ANC’s conclusion of its special National Executive Committe (NEC) meeting 

The ANC special NEC meeting was held on 10 April, a date coinciding with the 33 r anniversary commemoration of the assassination of Comrade Chris Hani, a ver unfortunate decision to hold a meeting on such an important day o commemoration of our late General Secretary and stalwart of our liberatio struggle 

The bilateral discussed important issues affecting the Alliance and the nationa democratic revolution as a shared programme between the Alliance partners. A part of its input, the ANC tabulated matters emanating from its special NE meeting, particularly those relating to elections processes in as far as they affec the relations of the Alliance partners, more particularly the SACP as a organisation that will also participate in the upcoming local government elections 

Among other issues, the meeting reflected on the ANC’s position to communicat its election approach and expectations to its members. The SACP respects th ANC’s independence to manage this process. In the context of a share membership between the ANC and SACP, this discussion is important fo members of the SACP who are also members of the ANC. The SACP will remai available for further engagements on this matter as we remain committed to th organisational formation of the Alliance, which critically includes dual membership 

We view dual membership not as a punishable offence but as an asset for th progressive cause. It is through the idea and practice of dual membership that th revolutionary movement succeeded in building the most powerful politica movement that defeated colonial and apartheid forces. Any action to undermine i serves only to reverse any potential for further progress on transformation 

As an important element of the discussion, the ANC and the SACP reaffirmed thei continued commitment to the Alliance, even as the SACP prepares to contest th upcoming local government elections in its own name for the first time in th democratic era. Considering existing standing committees between the ANC an SACP relating to management of alliance relations during the course of th elections, the bilateral agreed to continue to work out and refine the rules o engagement. 

However, as the SACP, we are concerned that the work of this tas team has not been given sufficient attention from the side of the ANC. The SACP i committed to maintaining productive cooperation with Alliance partners in this are and any other important area of work.

The SACP remains steadfast in its position that no member of the Party will fac any political retribution whatsoever for holding a membership of the ANC. Th SACP remains committed to its resolution to contest the upcoming loca government elections and sees no contradiction between its decision an sustaining the Alliance with its shared objectives. We welcome what we see as th ANC’s ultimate realisation of the unchanging nature of this decision of the SACP a reflected in the engagements in the bilateral meeting.

As we prepare for the local government elections, we continue to buil organisational capabilities that will endure beyond the election season and positio the Communist Party on a positive trajectory moving into the next century. Th Party’s primary focus remains establishing a strong working-class base fo sustained socialist struggles while utilising electoral opportunities to defen national democratic ideals and consolidate the transformation project.