SACP ignores ANC demand

POLLS: 'WE WON'T BE HELD TO RANSOM'

- Itumeleng Mafisa & Eric Mthobeli Naki

The South African Communist Party (SACP) is undeterred by an ultimatum from the ANC ahead of next year's local government elections, but experts don't see the two components of the tripartite alliance heading for a political divorce.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said the SACP's decision to contest the election implies that its members will have to choose between the two parties. "The implication of that is choose between the SACP and the ANC," he said.

In response, SACP spokesperson Mbulelo Mandlana said dual membership "is not a punishable offence". "The principle of dual membership in the alliance predates the electoral era of the South African revolution."