Fikile Mbalula, secretary-general of the African National Congress (ANC), has warned party members against blaming each other over the IEC’s mishandling of councillor candidate submissions. Speaking at a press briefing, Mbalula acknowledged allegations of deliberate wrongdoing in the ANC’s candidate list process. Meanwhile, ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa has threatened legal action against the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) over the exclusion of hundreds of councillor candidates.
The IEC has been criticized for errors in processing the ANC’s list, leading to the omission of several candidates. Mbalula emphasized the need for internal unity, stating that the focus should remain on resolving the issue rather than assigning blame. The ANC’s mayoral list also faced issues, with some candidates left off due to what Mbalula described as an administrative error.
Ramaphosa’s threat of legal recourse highlights the growing tension between the ANC and the IEC. The dispute could have significant implications for upcoming local elections. The IEC has yet to comment on the allegations, but the ANC’s stance signals a potential escalation in the political conflict.
The situation underscores the challenges of administrative coordination in South Africa’s electoral process, with implications for voter confidence and political stability.
