SACP ready to contest elections

The party's 14th congress has drawn to a close in Boksburg, with delegates agreeing to explore ways in which the party could take part in elections in future.

"We have resolved that, while the SACP will definitely contest elections, the exact modality in which we do so, needs to be determined by a way of concrete analysis of the concrete reality and through the process of  active engagement with worker and progressive formations," the SACP's 2nd deputy general secretary Chris Mathlako said.

The SACP has until now campaigned for the African National Congress (ANC) during elections, but has expressed concern about the state of the alliance. 

The party has asked President Jacob Zuma to step down and has also spoken out strongly against the allegations of state capture against senior members of the ANC. 

SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande closed the conference by saying the party would meet with the alliance partners to discuss the resolutions taken at congress. 

Nzimande reiterated that the way in which the tripartite alliance is functioning has become outdated. 

"The alliance mode of operation is incapable of holding together the alliance any further. 

"If the modus operandi of the alliance does not change, the alliance would inevitably disintegrate, with serious consequences."