The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) said that it will make a final decision whether to support the resolution of one of its alliance partners, South African Communist Party (SACP) to contest the 2026 local government elections independently from the ANC or remain supporting the alliance leader. The federation’ Special Central Executive committee meeting held on Monday agreed not to make a hasty decision regarding the matter but instead resolved to invite both the ANC and SACP to outline their programmes and modalities on how the elections will be contested.COSATU’s General Secretary Solly Phetoe told Motlhaping Modise on YOU FM Newshour that they exhausted all avenues to ensure that they make an informed decision.“We will decide that in September 2025 at the 8th Central Executive Committee, which is the highest decision-making body or constitutional structure in between congresses that has powers to make decisions. So, that’s where the matter will be finally resolved. Whether we move with the SACP or move with the ANC or how do we merge those two organisations together, that decision will be taken at that meeting in September,” said Phetoe.Furthermore, Phetoe said that Monday’s CEC resolved to continue engaging members, workers, and affiliates, as well as our Alliance Partners regarding the matter. “Additionally, the two allies (SACP and ANC) will be requested to clarify the issue of dual membership, thereby empowering the federation to make an informed decision.All affiliates agreed that there is no need to urgently pronounce on the party’s resolution, but it was imperative to discuss it thoroughly and ensure that all members are brought on-board. Of absolutely importance, however, is to safeguard the unity of workers and not allow COSATU to be divided as deliberations unfold,” explained the General Secretary. Following its 5th Special National Congress held last year December, the SACP announced that it’ll contest elections independently from the ANC, accusing the party of failing to reconfigure the alliance amongst others.The party’ Secretary General Solly Mapaila said at the time that the decision was informed by “their strategic objective of deepening democracy and shifting the balance of forces in favour of the working class.”The SACP has historically functioned as the ANC’s ally within the tripartite alliance, which includes COSATU. Although SACP members have contested the elections under the banner of the ANC during the elections, the party itself has never contested national elections under its own banner.
COSATU to make a final decision on SACP’s resolution in September
