The African National Congress (ANC) is facing significant legal challenges after failing to register candidates for the upcoming 4 November local government elections. This failure is reportedly due to the party not performing the key task of clicking the "submit" button on the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) portal, a procedural oversight that has drawn widespread criticism. Courts delivered a "bloody nose" to the party this week regarding the candidate registration issue, a development that has prompted a strong and immediate response from the ANC leadership.
In the wake of these legal setbacks, the ANC stated it "will exercise its legal rights and pursue the appropriate appeal process," indicating a determination to challenge the court's decisions. The party further emphasized that its legal representatives "will engage the court on the legal questions arising from the judgment," suggesting a thorough legal review is underway. Recognizing the potential for internal disquiet and public scrutiny, the party urged its members, leaders, and supporters "to remain calm and disciplined, and to refrain from public commentary that could prejudice or interfere with the ongoing legal process." Despite the immediate challenges, the ANC affirmed its commitment to future electoral contests. The party explicitly stated its "focus remains on presenting our programme to South Africans, engaging communities and earning their support through our record and our policies for the betterment of communities," positioning itself for the 2026 Local Government Elections.
Election Registration Debacle
The African National Congress (ANC) attributed its candidate registration failures to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), deflecting responsibility for the procedural misstep. The party subsequently pursued legal action regarding the candidate registration issue, engaging in a battle it was widely not expected to win. This legal challenge followed the critical failure to register candidates for the 4 November local government elections, specifically by not performing the fundamental task of clicking on the “submit” button on the IEC portal. This oversight has become a symbol of the party's current organizational struggles.
Despite the legal setbacks and the courts giving the ANC a "bloody nose" this week regarding the candidate registration issue, the party maintains its defiant stance. It insists it "will exercise its legal rights and pursue the appropriate appeal process," signaling its intent to continue fighting the rulings. The party further indicated that its "legal representatives will engage the court on the legal questions arising from the judgment," suggesting a detailed legal strategy is being formulated. In a call to its members, the ANC urged calm and discipline, advising them "to remain calm and disciplined, and to refrain from public commentary that could prejudice or interfere with the ongoing legal process." This directive shows the party's desire to manage internal dissent and public perception during this challenging period.
The ANC also reaffirmed its commitment to future electoral processes, looking beyond the immediate difficulties. The party stated that "the ANC remains fully committed to the 2026 Local Government Elections," indicating its long-term electoral ambitions are undiminished. It added that its "focus remains on presenting our programme to South Africans, engaging communities and earning their support through our record and our policies for the betterment of communities," outlining its strategy for rebuilding trust and support at the grassroots level.
Internal Power Struggles Emerge
Adding to the party's woes, a significant dispute has erupted between Mr. Fikile Mbalula and National Executive Committee (NEC) member Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma. This internal brawl notes deep-seated tensions within the party's leadership. Ms. Dlamini Zuma publicly alleged that Mr. Mbalula had provided money to delegates at the 2022 ANC national conference, purportedly to secure his own election and that of President Cyril Ramaphosa to top party positions. This serious accusation has escalated into legal action, with Mr. Mbalula having since initiated a lawsuit against Ms. Dlamini Zuma, who is now defending the legal action.
In her court papers, Ms. Dlamini Zuma reiterated her claim that Mr. Mbalula was dishing out cash to delegates during the 2022 ANC national conference, providing further detail to her initial public statements. To support her allegations, Ms. Dlamini Zuma has obtained an affidavit from an individual who claims to have received money and is prepared to testify in court. This development is particularly significant because vote buying at the ANC’s regional, provincial, and national conferences is widely acknowledged as a common occurrence, a persistent shadow over the party's internal democratic processes. However, Ms. Dlamini Zuma's actions mark the first instance where a prominent party figure, a party grandee, has provided concrete evidence and "meat to the bone" regarding such vote-buying claims, potentially exposing a systemic issue within the organization.
Emblematic of Broader Decline
The African National Congress's recent registration failures are considered emblematic of a broader organizational descent. Critics point to these failures as manifestations of the party's issues, which include corruption, incompetence, arrogance, a perceived sense of impunity, and a growing disregard for communities. The perceived stupidity of the ANC in handling such fundamental administrative tasks is seen as a clear indicator of the organization’s decline. This current state of affairs stands in stark contrast to the party's historical significance and its foundational role in South Africa's democracy.
A poignant reminder of the ANC's past stature is its involvement in the August 1990 Groote Schuur talks. These talks were new, marking the first official contact between the ANC and the National Party government, a critical step towards a democratic South Africa. The ANC delegation to these historic discussions included towering figures such as Nelson Mandela, recently returned exiles, newly freed prisoners, and the United Democratic Front leadership, representing the broad spectrum of the anti-apartheid movement. The party's ability to unite such diverse and influential figures then stands in stark contrast to the internal brawls and administrative blunders witnessed today.
Despite its current difficulties, which include the registration debacle and the internal strife, the ANC has stated it "will exercise its legal rights and pursue the appropriate appeal process," indicating its resolve to navigate these challenges through legal channels. The party further noted that its "legal representatives will engage the court on the legal questions arising from the judgment," signaling a commitment to a detailed legal strategy. The ANC has called on its members, leaders, and supporters "to remain calm and disciplined, and to refrain from public commentary that could prejudice or interfere with the ongoing legal process," an attempt to maintain unity and control the narrative. The ANC also affirmed its commitment to future electoral processes, stating that it "remains fully committed to the 2026 Local Government Elections" and that its "focus remains on presenting our programme to South Africans, engaging communities and earning their support through our record and our policies for the betterment of communities." While the party is expected to be hit hard and face significant setbacks in the forthcoming elections due to these accumulating issues, it is still projected to play an influential role in South African politics, albeit in a potentially diminished capacity.