{
  "id": 14103034,
  "title": "ANC axes three Ekurhuleni councillors in pre-election crackdown, orders another to step aside",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/anc-axes-three-ekurhuleni-councillors-in-pre-election-crackdown",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-13T02:47:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/elections/anc-axes-three-ekurhuleni-councillors-pre-election-crackdown-orders-another-step-aside/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The ruling African National Congress (ANC) in Ekurhuleni has expelled three councillors and ordered another to step aside in a pre-election crackdown. The ANC Regional Working Committee (RWC) found that councillors Thato Mashiane, Thembinkosi Lubisi and Sibusiso Dlamini had committed serious violations of the party's constitution, including supporting political organisations contesting elections against the ANC's officially endorsed candidates. The expulsions were communicated by the Office of the Regional Secretary, Moipone Mhlongo, on October 9th, 2026, following disciplinary findings and reports from the affected members. The ANC's disciplinary actions aim to maintain internal accountability and compliance with party rules as it prepares for the upcoming local government elections. The expulsions come amid internal tensions within the Ekurhuleni region, where a leadership battle has exposed divisions in the regional structure. To avert disruptions, interim replacements have been identified for the affected wards, such as Ward 2, Ward 71 and Ward 52.",
  "summary": "The expulsions come against the backdrop of ongoing internal tensions within the ANC in Ekurhuleni.",
  "key_points": [
    "ANC expels three Ekurhuleni councillors for constitutional violations",
    "Another councillor ordered to step aside in pre-election crackdown",
    "Actions aim to maintain internal accountability ahead of local elections"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}