Mbalula issues stern warning to ANC councillors

ANC head of elections Fikile Mbalula on said ANC councillors found to have been nominated fraudulently and registered to contest the local government elections will be dismissed even after they were elected.

He said the ANC had decided to continue with its dispute resolution process over the selection of candidates beyond the 1 November election. The process would continue until all matters were satisfactorily resolved.

According to Mbalula, the process could trigger by-elections, which meant those elected wrongfully and registered with the South African Electoral Commission (IEC) would be replaced.

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The ANC faced a near rebellion as branches protested against the removal of their preferred candidates in the final lists sent to the IEC. Some branches protested outside the IEC on 23 August, while this week, others held a demonstration outside Luthuli House in Johannesburg demanding the resolution of the candidates issue.

“In some instances, there are serious allegations of transgressions, including the manipulation of candidate lists. All these matters are being investigated,” Mbalula said.

Party top brass led by President Cyril Ramaphosa would be on the ground this weekend to encourage communities to register to be able to vote on 1 November.

He said the ANC would launch its manifesto on 27 September in Tshwane and it will be attended by no more than 500 people because of the Covid regulations.

Ward council candidates would distribute localised manifestos and service delivery plans based on the main manifesto.