SACP Urges ANC Accountability Following Phala Phala Ruling

The South African Communist Party (SACP) has called on the African National Congress (ANC) to accept full accountability for President Cyril Ramaphosa's role in the Phala Phala saga [1, 2].

This demand follows a mid-March 2024 Constitutional Court ruling that found the president failed to disclose a conflict of interest [1, 2]. The tension threatens the stability of the tripartite alliance, as the SACP argues that the ANC must prioritize legal responsibility over party loyalty to maintain its integrity.

General Secretary Solly Mapaila and National Spokesperson Mbulelo Mandlana urged Parliament to move quickly toward impeachment [1, 2]. Mapaila said, "We cannot allow the ANC to hide behind its historic ties; it must be held fully accountable for the Phala Phala findings" ^[1].

The SACP leaders argue that the alliance's survival depends on transparency. Mandlana said the SACP is calling on the ANC to embrace full accountability for the Constitutional Court ruling on the Phala Phala saga ^[2]. He said that if the ANC does not take responsibility now, the alliance will continue to fracture, and the people will lose faith in the struggle ^[2].

Beyond the impeachment calls, the SACP has intensified its pressure on ANC members regarding electoral loyalty. The party gave a 10-day deadline ^[3] for ANC members to state which party they will campaign for in the upcoming local elections.

This ultimatum reflects a growing rift between the two parties as they navigate the legal fallout of the president's conduct. The SACP maintains that the failure to act on the court's findings undermines the rule of law in South Africa [1, 2].