South African Communist Party (SACP) Politburo member Dr Alex Masilo said he was concerned about certain parties that might seek a coalition with the African National Congress (ANC), but would not reveal his intentions until he had completed consultations with all members of the tripartite alliance.
This comes as the ANC's national executive committee (NEC) is due to meet to decide on the composition of the government following the party's below-expected performance in the 2024 general elections.
The ANC failed to secure a majority in the National Assembly, receiving just 40.2% of the vote.
The party also failed to win provincial majorities in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Northern Cape.
Masilo said the ANC leadership should not take dictates from any party that decides to enter into a coalition agreement.
“It should be clear who will lead the coalition agreement. We will tell the ANC and other coalition partners that we do not want a coalition that is against the working class. The ANC still has the lead in the votes and cannot be swayed by other parties.”
VIDEO | Coalition talks underway – Mbazima Shilowa gives details:
“The ANC needs to work with the DA.”
Meanwhile, former ANC deputy secretary-general and veteran leader Cheryl Carolus said the ANC and the Democratic Alliance (DA) must work together as they are the two most vote-winning parties.
Carolus said voters have spoken and both parties must lead the country.
“I think the people have spoken out and are saying that the people gave over 60 per cent of their votes to the ANC and the DA. ANC and DA members may not like that but it's a fact. As the two major parties, I think they have a responsibility, not a right, over us. They have a responsibility to lead us. We need a government of national unity like in 1990 when the ANC and the National Party had to find each other and lead each other.”
PODCAST | Cheryl Carolus discusses what kind of coalition South Africa will form after the election.
