SACP’s Solly Mapaila on SMWX: “This Presidency Promised Too Much, Delivered Too Little”
In a recent podcast interview on SMWX with Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, South African Communist Party (SACP) general secretary Solly Mapaila launched a sharp attack on President Cyril Ramaphosa, saying his leadership has made big promises but given little in return. Mapaila spoke about the SACP’s choice to contest elections on its own, the problems in the Government of National Unity (GNU), and claims of criminal groups influencing the justice system. He also touched on the party’s move to remove Gwede Mantashe from its central committee and the ongoing tensions in the ANC-led alliance.
Mapaila’s Strong Words on Ramaphosa’s Leadership
During the SMWX podcast, Solly Mapaila did not hold back on his views of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s time in office. He said the presidency started with high hopes for change but has fallen short on key issues like fighting corruption, creating jobs, and transforming society. “This president promised us too much and less delivery,” Mapaila stated, pointing to growing poverty, high unemployment, and a lack of progress in fixing race, class, and gender inequalities.
Mapaila blamed what he calls a “neo-liberal agenda” in the ANC, which he says puts big business ahead of working people. He gave examples like plans to bring private companies into key areas such as transport, energy, and water, which he sees as handing over control to international and local big firms. “The man is committed with his ideology of capitalism… By the time we wake up, there will be nothing for the people of this country,” he warned. This matches earlier comments where Mapaila accused Ramaphosa of leading a group in the ANC that favours market-driven policies over real change.
He also spoke about the Government of National Unity, calling it a “spectacular failure” based on clear signs like rising poverty and joblessness. A recent Ipsos poll shows eight out of ten South Africans think the country is going the wrong way, which Mapaila used to back his point. He said the GNU is not a true partnership but mostly an ANC-DA deal, with other parties added to make it look better. “It’s not a GNU, it’s just an ANC-DA deal,” he explained, saying it ignores the needs of the working class and poor.
SACP’s Move to Contest Elections Alone
A big part of the interview focused on the SACP’s plan to run in the 2026 local government elections without the ANC, unless the alliance is restructured. Mapaila said this comes from years of frustration with the ANC’s “arrogance” and failure to stick to shared goals. The SACP has been pushing for alliance changes since 2019, but talks have stalled.
He explained that the party’s 2022 congress decided to contest elections if no changes happened. They delayed for the 2024 national elections to keep unity, but now feel let down. “We are sick and tired of attending meaningless meetings with the ANC,” Mapaila said in past statements, echoing his podcast views. He stressed that this is not about breaking the alliance but fighting for working-class representation, which he says is missing under current policies.
Mapaila also talked about removing Gwede Mantashe from the SACP central committee. Mantashe, who is also ANC national chairperson, missed many meetings without apologies. The party sent people to talk to him, but nothing changed. “We felt that it will be unfair to other members to be compelled to honour the constitution of the party and others are given special privileges,” Mapaila said. This move shows deeper cracks in the alliance, with Mapaila hinting Mantashe’s views on the GNU clashed with the SACP’s.
On dual membership, where people belong to both the SACP and ANC, Mapaila said it comes from shared goals in the fight against apartheid. But with the ANC straying from those goals, the SACP must protect its independence. He rejected ANC threats to remove SACP members from government posts if they campaign against the ANC, calling it “childish” and “politically immature”.
Views on Criminal Syndicates and Police Corruption
Mapaila praised KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for his brave press conference in July 2025, where he claimed criminal groups have captured parts of the police and justice system. “We welcomed General Mkhwanazi’s statement… It was a brave move and we commended him for it,” Mapaila said. He noted the SACP has long called for probes into police capture, like in the Western Cape where officers investigating syndicates were killed.
He criticised Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s handling of the issue, saying he should have been fully removed, not just put on special leave. “With due respect to comrade Senzo… He should have removed him completely, put him aside and appoint a new minister,” Mapaila urged. He welcomed the Madlanga Commission but worried about delays, blaming sabotage in the justice department. Mapaila said the SACP will watch closely to ensure real action, not cover-ups.
He linked this to wider problems, like assassinations of traditional leaders (over 60 in recent years, mostly in KZN) and syndicates taking over buildings in Johannesburg. Mapaila called for open investigations, saying parliament should make findings public while protecting lives.
Reactions to Mapaila’s Comments
Mapaila’s interview sparked quick responses. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula hit back, rejecting claims the ANC sold out to the DA in the GNU. He defended the partnership as needed for stability and growth, saying Mapaila’s views do not represent the full alliance. Other ANC leaders called the SACP’s election plans a threat to unity, but Mapaila dismissed this as more arrogance.
Trade union federation Cosatu, another alliance partner, has mixed views. Some leaders agree with Mapaila on the GNU’s failures, while others back the ANC’s choices. The MK Party and EFF have welcomed the SACP’s stance, seeing it as a sign of growing opposition to the GNU.
Public opinion, from polls and social media, shows many agree with Mapaila. Unemployment at over 32%, poverty affecting 70% of children, and slow service delivery have fuelled frustration. Critics say the GNU has not delivered quick wins, like more jobs or better services, despite early hype.
Background on SACP-ANC Tensions
The SACP and ANC have been allies for over 80 years, sharing the National Democratic Revolution goals to end inequality. But tensions grew under Ramaphosa, with the SACP accusing the ANC of neo-liberal shifts, like privatising state firms. Mapaila said the ANC ignored alliance talks on restructuring, leading to the election decision.
Past SACP congresses (2007, 2012, 2017) discussed independence, but 2022 made it firm. Mapaila noted secret ANC-DA meetings before 2024 elections, which he says undermined trust. He called the GNU a “right-wing corner” that ignores working-class needs.
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