BRITS, Wednesday 26 August 2026 — An internal ANC candidate dispute in Madibeng could see an incumbent ward councillor contest the November local government elections under the banner of the South African Communist Party, highlighting the electoral consequences of the SACP’s decision to compete independently against its longstanding alliance partner.
Residents in Maboloka have approached current councillor John Ratele about standing for the SACP after the African National Congress did not select him as its candidate despite support for his nomination within the local community, according to TimesLIVE.
The dispute centres on the ANC’s candidate-selection process in a ward the party has traditionally dominated.
Community members supporting Ratele have rejected the ANC’s preferred candidate and are considering backing the incumbent through another political vehicle rather than accepting the party’s selection.
A move to the South African Communist Party would be politically significant beyond the individual ward.
The SACP is contesting the 2026 municipal elections independently, placing it in direct electoral competition with the ANC for the first time in a nationwide local government election.
That decision has already created tensions within the Tripartite Alliance and forced Congress of South African Trade Unions to consider how it will approach an election in which two of its traditional allies are competing for votes.
Madibeng therefore provides an early example of how the SACP’s independent campaign could offer disgruntled ANC candidates and communities an alternative without requiring them to move to a traditional opposition party.
The development remains fluid. Ratele has been approached to contest under the SACP banner, but the available reporting does not establish that he has formally accepted the offer or been registered as an SACP candidate.
The timing is important because political parties have until 17:00 on Friday, 28 August to submit candidate nominations to the Electoral Commission of South Africa.
Chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo has confirmed that parties and independent candidates will not be permitted to correct or amend candidate submissions after the deadline once lists have been finally submitted.
The ANC is simultaneously dealing with candidate disputes elsewhere, including legal action by members in the Eastern Cape and disagreements over candidates who do not meet the party’s matric requirement.
Madibeng differs because the dispute could translate directly into electoral competition between alliance partners.
The municipality includes Brits and surrounding communities in North West and has experienced prolonged governance and service-delivery difficulties.
If Ratele ultimately accepts an SACP nomination, the contest would provide an early test of whether the communist party can convert dissatisfaction with ANC candidate selection into local electoral support.
The immediate question is whether the community-backed challenge results in a formal SACP candidacy before Friday’s IEC deadline.
