SACP goes at it alone in Metsimaholo by-elections

The SACP insists that it is still part of the tripartite alliance despite their ambitions to win the Metsimaholo Local Muncipality in the Free State, where the ANC has relatively stable support. 

SACP spokesperson Alex Mashilo says their biggest motivation for contesting the by-elections is what they believe to have been the unfair dismissal of 320 muncipal workers for participating in a strike in 2014.

Mashilo says the workers were reinstated following intervention by the SACP, but only after they had already cashed out their pension funds.

''During the period of their dismissal service delivery was compromised in these communities, in fact the work of these workers were given to a private company in the form of a tender the municipality payed more than they did the workers.

''We are looking forward to the work we have been doing with communities bearing fruits on the ballot and we will assess the outcomes of the results during the weekend." 

Mashilo also added that even though people see this move as a breakaway from the ANC, the SACP still sees itself as a part of the tripartite alliance. 

Meanwhile, the ANC's Provincial General Council in the Free State has nominated Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as its preferred candidate to succeed President Jacob Zuma as party leader in December.

Provincial spokesperson Thabo Meeko says they believe Dlamini-Zuma is the right candidate to take the party forward.