SACP removes Mantashe from its Central Committee

The South African Communist Party (SACP) says its decision to remove African National Congress (ANC) National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe from its Central Committee is solely because of his nonattendance at important meetings, without any explanation and apology.

The decision follows the SACP’s plan to contest the 2026 local elections independently, a move that has sparked sharp debate with the ANC, while escalating tensions within the Tripartite Alliance.

Mantashe, a long-time SACP member and current Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, downplayed the dismissal, but the ANC has warned that the SACP’s actions could fracture their decades-long partnership.

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SACP spokesperson Mbulelo Mandlana says the Central Committee’s reason to relieve Mantashe of his responsibility is based on his failure to comply with constitutional requirements such as attending meetings.

“When you are required to attend a central committee a number of times, if you do not, you must present an official apology, none of which has occurred. It has become clear to the central committee that Mantashe may be having too many obligations on his plate that disallow him to fulfill his constitutional and leadership role as a Communist Party leader,” says Mandlana.

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