Key Takeaways
- Eastern Cape ANC provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi has demanded a detailed report from ANC secretary‑general Fikile Mbalula’s office regarding the party’s submission of council candidates to the IEC.
- The request stems from an alleged incomplete candidate list that could jeopardize the ANC’s performance in the upcoming local government elections on 4 November.
- Ngcukayitobi seeks accountability, wanting documentary proof of which candidates were submitted, by whom, and when, to protect his reputation and clarify responsibility.
- Mbalula’s office maintains that the ANC lodged the “overwhelming majority” of its candidates on time and blames IEC technical glitches for the outstanding entries.
- The IEC denies any system malfunction, stating its online nomination platform remained functional throughout the period and that parties had ample time to submit names.
- The dispute has intensified internal ANC tensions, turning a technical administrative issue into a public contest over who should bear the blame.
- With the election less than two months away, the outcome of this internal feud could affect the ANC’s electoral machinery and voter confidence in the Eastern Cape.
Background and Context
The African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape is currently embroiled in a dispute over the submission of its council candidates for the forthcoming local government elections scheduled for 4 November 2025. Provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi issued a formal letter dated 31 August to ANC secretary‑general Fikile Mbalula, demanding a comprehensive account of exactly which candidates were lodged with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) and whether the party satisfied all nomination requirements. The move follows reports that the ANC’s candidate list was incomplete before the IEC’s deadline, raising concerns about the party’s ability to field a full slate of contenders in key municipalities.
Ngcukayitobi’s Letter and Specific Demands
In his letter, Ngcukayitobi requested a consolidated list of all ward and proportional‑representation candidates submitted to the IEC, broken down by municipality and region. He singled out the OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo, Sundays River, and Walter Sisulu areas as particular points of concern. Additionally, he asked for the ANC’s compliance status as confirmed by the IEC, insisting that the information be provided by 1 p.m. on 1 September. Ngcukayitobi framed the request as necessary to establish a clear record of what was submitted, by whom, and when, thereby enabling the provincial executive committee and the elections team to “strengthen our systems,” ensure compliance, and safeguard the integrity of the candidate‑selection process.
Underlying Rift Over Accountability
The request has exposed a growing rift between the provincial and national arms of the ANC. Insiders indicate that Ngcukayitobi and Mbalula’s office have been at odds over who should bear responsibility for the failed submission. Ngcukayitobi fears that blame could be unfairly shifted onto provincial structures, despite the national office’s involvement in the nomination process. By demanding documentary evidence, he aims to “clear his name” should the ANC ultimately fail to persuade the IEC to accept the outstanding candidates. Conversely, sources close to Mbalula suggest that the provincial secretary is attempting to deflect accountability onto the national leadership, turning the issue into a contest over internal credibility.
Technical Explanation Offered by Mbalula’s Office
Mbalula’s office responded publicly, asserting that the ANC had successfully lodged the names of the “overwhelming majority” of its candidates within the nomination deadline. The office attributed the remaining discrepancies to technical problems with the IEC’s candidate‑capture system, which allegedly affected a number of parties. It emphasized that a small number of the movement’s entries are being finalised jointly with the commission and that the matter is being handled through the IEC’s established administrative processes. This explanation attempts to frame the issue as an external, technical hiccup rather than an internal organisational failure.
IEC’s Rejection of the Technical Glitch Claim
The IEC’s chief electoral officer, Sy Mamabolo, rejected the notion that its system had malfunctioned. According to the commission, its online candidate nomination platform remained available throughout the entire nomination period, including on the cut‑off date. The IEC noted that it had opened the system on 21 June—weeks before the official nomination period began on 7 August—to give parties ample time to submit their candidates’ names. Consequently, the IEC maintains that any missing entries are not due to a system failure but rather to shortcomings in the parties’ submission procedures.
Implications for the Upcoming Elections
The disagreement has added a layer of complexity to the ANC’s preparations for the local government elections, which are now less than two months away. Failure to secure a place on the ballot for a significant number of candidates could erode the party’s electoral prospects in the Eastern Cape, a region where the ANC traditionally relies on strong grassroots support. Moreover, the public airing of internal discord risks undermining voter confidence and could be exploited by opposition parties seeking to capitalise on perceived disorganisation within the ruling party.
Conclusion and Outlook
Ngcukayitobi’s extraordinary intervention has transformed what began as an administrative oversight into a high‑stakes internal contest over accountability between two of the ANC’s most senior secretaries. While Mbalula’s office points to IEC technical issues, the IEC denies any fault, placing the onus back on the party’s submission practices. As the deadline for the provincial executive committee’s review looms, the outcome of this dispute will likely influence not only the ANC’s candidate list finalisation but also its internal cohesion and electoral credibility in the Eastern Cape heading into the November elections.