SACP
The Eastern Cape branch of the South African Communist Party has lashed out at higher structures after reports of moves against SACP leader Solly Mapaila. In a sharp warning to Minister Blade Nzimande the provincial body said any assault on Mapaila will be met with decisive action by the party and its allies.
The Eastern Cape provincial leadership of the South African Communist Party has issued a blunt warning to national structures and allied leaders following what it describes as efforts to undermine SACP secretary general Solly Mapaila.
In a statement read at a provincial meeting the SACP said it will not stand by while attempts are made to punish or sideline its national leadership. The provincial leadership accused unnamed forces of stoking factional battles that threaten unity on the left.
It said any attempt to target Mapaila will be treated as an attack on the movement itself and that the party will use all lawful and political means to defend its leader.
The statement singled out Blade Nzimande by name and urged him to intervene to calm tensions and uphold internal processes rather than allow disputes to spill into public spectacle.
Political analysts said the clash exposes deepening tensions within the tripartite alliance at a time when unity is politically important. The SACP in the Eastern Cape framed its warning as both a defence of internal democracy and a signal to broader alliance partners that provincial bases will mobilise if national disputes translate into punitive action.
The SACP called for dialogue and for all issues to be resolved through established party structures. It urged calm from all sides and warned against inflammatory rhetoric or punitive measures that could fracture the alliance. The provincial leadership also pledged to keep members and ally formations informed of any developments and to coordinate any response with trade union and community partners.
