SACP’s solo election bid could cost alliance power: Ramaphosa

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa lays a wreath at Joe Slovo’s tombstone at the Heroes’ Acre in Avalon Cemetery, Soweto.

African National Congress (ANC) President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned that the South African Communist Party’s (SACP) decision to contest the 2026 Local Government Elections alone could cost the alliance power.

Ramaphosa was speaking at the SACP’s commemoration of the 31-year anniversary of the death of Joe Slovo at Heroes’ Acre in Avalon Cemetery, Soweto.

Tensions are high between the two parties, but Ramaphosa says that despite the disagreements, they still have common interests.

“The ANC is on record as saying the decision, which we respect by the party to go in and run for elections on its own, to run elections on its own will be a historic mistake. It will weaken the alliance. It will distract our people from knowing who to vote for, and the very issue that is being punted about state power could be wrested from our hands.”

[IN PICTURES] Today, the ANC President, Cde Cyril Ramaphosa, honoured the life, legacy, and revolutionary contribution of Cde Joe Slovo at the 31st Annual Joe Slovo Commemoration in Soweto.

The commemoration highlighted Cde Slovo’s commitment to equality, his belief that all… pic.twitter.com/A1yTHU6Nhy

— ANC – African National Congress (@MYANC) January 6, 2026