SHARPEVILLE.– The South African Communist Party (SACP) in the Vaal District launched its 2026 local government election manifestos under the theme “Build People’s Power Where We Live” at Rhoda Yende Hall in Sharpeville over the weekend.

The launch was finally held after it was postponed earlier last month.

SACP Treasurer-General Joyce Moloi-Moropa joined party members to oversee the handover of Independent Electoral Commission certificates confirming party candidates for the Lesedi, Midvaal, and Emfuleni Local Municipalities, as well as the Sedibeng District Municipality (SDM).

The SACP, an alliance of the ruling party, the ANC, is contesting in the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE) as a stand-alone party.

Vaal District Secretary, Thembinkosi Pulu, announced that the party has fielded 146 councillor candidates to contest every single ward.

The party intends to leave no space unoccupied and turn every space red.

Pulu added that among its priorities when taking over the local government, the SACP intends to build municipalities that work for the Vaal people.

“This means Reliable Public Services, preventative maintenance and repairs. In doing so, the SACP says councils must ensure working lights and street lights and well-cared-for streets. SACP councillors will fight for ward-by-ward water audits and sanitation, public maintenance plans, rapid response teams for leaks and sewer spills, and properly staffed municipal technical units.”

Addressing corruption within the ELM, Pulu said the SACP will in-source security services and Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers into the municipal system upon assuming power.

Pulu concluded that a vote for the SACP will mean:

•            Put workers and poor communities before private profits

•            Repair the neglected public services and rebuild municipal services

•            Create decent work and sustainable livelihoods where people live

•            Restore land to social purpose and repair the sewer system

•            Build community safety and support primary health care

•            End the tender system capture and prioritise insourcing

•            Elect councillors who report, disclose and can be recalled, and

•            Build a powerful socialist movement that continues beyond the elections’ day