Cosatu says backing ANC and SACP in local elections not contradictory

Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) President Mike Shingange says there is no contradiction in the federation supporting both the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the African National Congress (ANC) in the upcoming local government election.

@_cosatu President, Cde Mike Shingange, delivering the federation’s message of support to the SACP Red October Campaign Victory Rally in Thulamahashe. Cde Shingange reaffirmed Cosatu’s 15th Congress resolution that organised workers will #VoteSACP.
#SACP #IamVotingSACP #LGE2026 https://t.co/guVubkTYuT

— SACP (@SACP1921) October 25, 2026

He says the federation still believes in the alliance.

Shingange was addressing the communist party’s Red October Siyanqoba Rally in Thulamahashe, Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga.

“Now that our party, which is an independent organization, is also having programme for elections, therefore, we are bound to support that. So, we don’t (want) any contradictions … in fact, (if) anything, had Cosatu chosen either of the two that would have perpetuated (divisions) because the one wouldn’t have been chosen would felt that as Cosatu would have rejected them as part of alliance partners. But for now, we are saying to ourselves this is our alliance, both of them. They are political parties, they are exercising their right in the ballot. Our workers are going to vote either of the two,” says Shingange.

Meanwhile, SACP’s Solly Mapaila says there is an agenda against the SACP because it is not funded by the capitalists.

VIDEO | SACP holds Red October Siyanqoba Rally