The ANC in North West has dismissed claims that it is purging South African Communist Party (SACP) leaders, insisting recent changes in the provincial legislature are linked to the party’s decision to contest the 2026 Local Government Elections independently.
The controversy follows the removal of North West SCOPA Chairperson Smuts Matshe, who also serves as the SACP’s Provincial Chairperson, from his leadership position in the legislature.
Speaking on YOU FM’s Newshour, ANC North West spokesperson Tumelo Maruping said the decision formed part of efforts to strengthen committees in the provincial legislature rather than target SACP members.
“We have taken a decision to strengthen certain committees within the provincial legislature, including the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA), which was led by the current SACP provincial chairperson, Smuts Matshe,” said Maruping.
He explained that while the ANC Constitution allows dual membership with the SACP, the ANC’s National Executive Committee has resolved that members cannot actively campaign for or support another political party contesting elections against the ANC.
Maruping said the ANC is engaging dual members individually to determine whether they intend to support the SACP’s independent election campaign while continuing to serve in positions secured through the ANC.
“We have no problem with the SACP’s decision to contest elections independently. The issue is whether dual members will continue supporting another party while occupying positions through the ANC,” he said.
He rejected suggestions of a witch hunt, saying the party’s engagements are aimed at clarifying members’ political positions following the SACP’s historic decision to contest the local government elections outside the ANC-led alliance.
Maruping confirmed that the ANC has concluded discussions with Matshe and is continuing engagements with other senior SACP leaders, including Provincial Secretary and North West Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Madoda Sambatha.
He added that the ANC does not believe the developments will affect the stability of the provincial government or service delivery ahead of the November local government elections.
