Judgment reserved in Eastern Cape ANC candidate lists dispute

A reserved judgment awaits in a dispute over candidate lists within the African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape. Two members of the party filed an urgent application at the Makhanda High Court, demanding the nullification of councillor candidates and the mayoral candidate lists. They argue that the party's processes and guidelines were not adhered to during the nomination procedures, and that the list was manipulated, deviating from the actual events at Branch General Meetings.

The applicants accuse the ANC's provincial executive committee, Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, and provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukaitobi of breaching the party's 2026 local government election candidate selection rules, guidelines, and procedures. They claim the finalised ward councillor candidate list was not published on the party’s website, and that the list was altered.

Mbalula admitted to the alteration in a letter to the applicants. The majority of the dissatisfied members are from various branches in the party, such as Inxuba Yethemba Sub-Region in the Chris Hani and Alfred Nzo Regions. The defense contends that the application was not urgent and should be heard in the Electoral Court, citing the Electoral Commission as the respondents, and stating that the dispute relates to the 2026 local government election.