IEC ordered to reinstate 181 ANC Candidates… Party to review GNU with DA, as SG takes medical decline

The Constitutional Court has granted the African National Congress (ANC) leave to appeal the Electoral Court’s decision to exclude 181 of its councillor candidates, with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) ordered to reinstate all the affected candidates with immediate effect.

The ruling marks a significant victory for the ANC as it prepares for the upcoming local government elections, bringing relief to the party following a legal battle over the exclusion of its candidates.

An emotional ANC secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, welcomed the outcome at Constitutional Hill, saying the party had endured difficult moments at the institution before but remained committed to the Constitution and the rule of law.

The Constitutional Court has directed the IEC to take all necessary steps to include the affected ANC party lists and ward councillor candidate nominations for the 4 November 2026 Local Government Elections.

The directive clears the way for the ANC’s 181 excluded candidates to be included in the electoral process, marking a significant victory for the governing party as it prepares for the polls.

“The Constitution has spoken for the people of this country. This was not the work of one office. Thanks to the Office of the President, Cyril Ramaphosa, for his leadership. I thank the national officials of the movement who took this with patience,” said Mbalula while fighting back the tears.

He described the ruling as a vindication of the party’s position, insisting that the outcome was bigger than the ANC itself and concerned the fundamental rights of citizens.

“Today, we have been vindicated. What today means is bigger than one party. We did not go onto the streets, but when we realised that our people were struggling, we went out there to fight,” he said.

He thanked President Cyril Ramaphosa, Gwede Mantashe, the ANC Women’s League, Youth League and Africa Mayibuye leader Floyd Shivambu.

Mbalula emphasised that the dispute had been resolved through the courts rather than through disorder, adding that the outcome demonstrated the importance of constitutional processes.

“This country has been blessed. This is a court ruling, not anarchy. This is a fundamental right, and it belongs to the people,” he said.

The secretary-general also became emotional as he reflected on the criticism he had faced during the dispute, revealing that some of the criticism had come from people he works with.

Mbalula said the experience had been difficult, explaining that his tears were partly a response to those who had criticised him and his handling of the matter.

Despite the criticism, he maintained that the outcome should ultimately benefit ordinary South Africans rather than be celebrated solely as a victory for the governing party.

“Let victory be delivered to the people,” he said.

In a further political statement following the ruling, Mbalula said the ANC should reconsider its relationship with the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Government of National Unity (GNU). His remarks could add to the political debate surrounding the future of the coalition arrangement between the two parties.

The ruling comes at a critical time as political parties prepare for the local government elections. With the IEC ordered to reinstate the 181 candidates, the ANC will be seeking to move beyond the legal dispute and focus on its electoral campaign.

For the party, the outcome represents not only a legal reprieve but also an opportunity to regroup ahead of the polls, while Mbalula’s comments signal that the implications of the court battle may extend beyond candidate eligibility to the ANC’s broader political relationships.

The unfortunate incident stole the ANC’s victory when Mbalula, while taking questions from the media, indicated that he was not feeling well and sat down. He was reportedly whisked outside the venue by his security detail, most probably to a medical institution for observation.