Shortly before the Communist Party would get rid of Blade Nzimande, the top structure of the ANC gave him a position on their National Executive Committee.
The SACP has been critical of the ANC because of its lack of representation in the party structure since 2017.
The sudden change and a reluctance to support the SACP due to the threat that the union wants to run the next local election under its own banner as a party.
The threat to withdraw support from the ANC had already emerged before the previous general election, and the fear exists in ANC ranks that trade unions could stand together in a new party that could become the new governors.