SACP Alert: SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila and NUM President Phillippi Vilakazi to lead joint SACP/NUM protests in Cape Town
SACP Communications
South African Communist Party
Media Alert
SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila and NUM President Phillippi Vilakazi to lead joint SACP/NUM protests in Cape Town
Monday, 3 November 2025:- The South African Communist Party (SACP) and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) invite members of the media to cover the joint SACP-NUM Red Friday and Red Saturday activities taking place on 7 – 8 November 2025 as part of the Red October 2025/2026 Programme.
These actions form part of the continuing struggle against capitalist exploitation, social decay, surge of violent crime and state incapacity, and highlight the urgent need for socialist transformation and people-centred governance.
RED FRIDAY: 7 NOVEMBER 2025
• Action: Picket against violent crime, corruption, and government inaction
• Time: 12h00 – 13h00
• Venue: Outside the Western Cape Provincial Legislature, Cape Town
The picket condemns the surge of violent crime in the Western Cape, particularly in black working-class communities, and the government’s failure to curb the escalating violence and corruption.
The SACP and NUM will amongst other things call for:
• Decisive action to combat violent crime and protect communities.
• The release of the Western Cape Ombudsperson’s report implicating police officers allegedly captured by underworld criminal networks.
• Appointment of the Provincial Intelligence Head.
• The City of Cape Town to account for the 31 unaccounted-for firearms on the hands of the City of Cape Town as revealed by the 2022 firearm inspectorate report.
A detailed memorandum of demands will be handed over to Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, Lieutenant General Patekile, and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
The picket will be addressed by SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila and NUM President Phillippi Vilakazi, who will jointly lead the delegation to deliver the memorandum.
RED SATURDAY: 8 NOVEMBER 2025
Action: Protest march
Route: From NUM Offices, 10 2nd Avenue, Boston Street, Bellville
To: Eskom and the Department of Employment and Labour, Bellville
Time: 11h00 – 13h00
The Red Saturday march will focus on economic justice and workers’ rights, highlighting:
● Opposition to the unbundling and privatisation of Eskom.
● Reversal of excessive electricity tariff hikes.
● Urgent increase in the number of labour inspectors.
● Expansion of labour department services in rural areas.
The march will be led by SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila and NUM President Phillippi Vilakazi.
Issued by:
South African Communist Party Western Cape and National Union of Mineworkers Western Cape
For Media Enquiries:
Benson Ngqentsu – SACP Western Cape Provincial Secretary
082 796 6400
Mlondolozi Limaphi – NUM Western Cape Regional Secretary
073 518 3455
Media Liaison Contacts:
Lizwi Gegula – SACP Western Cape Provincial Spokesperson
078 827 2274
Livhuwani Mamburu – NUM National Spokesperson
083 809 3257