“The ANC is grappling with bribery allegations against Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, now before the Gauteng High Court, while simultaneously suffering an Electoral Court defeat that excludes 181 of its candidates from November’s local elections. These developments highlight both internal party fractures and external electoral challenges that could weaken the ANC’s dominance.”
South Africa’s political landscape has been shaken this week as the African National Congress (ANC), the country’s largest and historically dominant party, faces two major setbacks: bribery allegations against its Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula and a decisive Electoral Court ruling that excludes 181 ANC candidates from the November 4 local government elections. These developments, occurring simultaneously, underscore the fragility of the ANC’s internal cohesion and its ability to maintain electoral dominance in a rapidly changing political environment.
Bribery Allegations Against Fikile Mbalula
The controversy began when ANC veteran Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma accused Mbalula of using cash to influence delegates at the party’s 2022 elective conference. That conference was pivotal, as it secured Cyril Ramaphosa’s re-election as ANC president and Mbalula’s rise to Secretary-General. Mbalula denied the allegations and sued Dlamini-Zuma for defamation. However, the matter escalated when ANC delegate Mandla Sibiya submitted an affidavit claiming he personally witnessed Mbalula distributing money and even received some himself.
This affidavit has transformed the dispute from a political spat into a legal battle. The Gauteng High Court must now weigh evidence rather than rhetoric, with judgment reserved. Allegations of money influencing ANC conferences are not new; they date back to Polokwane in 2007, when Jacob Zuma’s rise was marred by similar claims. Mbalula himself has previously acknowledged the broader problem of money in ANC politics, warning that it undermines democratic processes within the party.
Historical Context
The ANC’s internal contests have long been consequential for South Africa’s governance. Dlamini-Zuma’s narrow defeat to Ramaphosa at Nasrec in 2017—by just 179 votes—was a turning point in the fight against state capture. Ramaphosa later testified before the State Capture Commission that shifting the balance of power within the ANC was essential to dismantling entrenched corruption networks. The current allegations against Mbalula thus revive old wounds and raise questions about whether the ANC has truly reformed.
Electoral Court Defeat
As if the bribery scandal were not enough, the ANC suffered another blow when the Electoral Court dismissed its attempt to reinstate 181 candidates excluded from the November elections. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) had ruled that the ANC missed the submission deadline in six municipalities, including former strongholds like Ingquza Hill and Port St Johns. The ANC argued that it had uploaded the candidates’ information, but the IEC maintained that the party simply ran out of time.
The Electoral Court sided with the IEC, emphasizing the importance of procedural compliance in a democracy. This ruling means the ANC will not appear on ballots in certain municipalities, potentially ceding ground to opposition parties. For a party already struggling with declining support in urban areas, this exclusion could prove costly.
Implications for the ANC
The dual crises—bribery allegations and candidate exclusions—strike at the heart of the ANC’s credibility. Internally, the allegations against Mbalula deepen factional divides, with Ramaphosa loyalists and Zuma-era veterans clashing over the party’s future direction. Externally, the exclusion of candidates undermines the ANC’s ability to contest elections effectively, particularly in regions where it has historically enjoyed strong support.
These developments also highlight the resilience of South Africa’s democratic institutions. The IEC’s refusal to bend rules for the ANC and the Electoral Court’s independent ruling demonstrate that even the dominant party is subject to the same standards as others. In a region where electoral manipulation is common, South Africa’s adherence to democratic norms is noteworthy.
Opposition Opportunities
Opposition parties such as the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are likely to seize on the ANC’s missteps. The exclusion of ANC candidates opens space for them to expand their influence in municipalities where the ANC has traditionally been strong. Moreover, the bribery allegations provide fodder for opposition campaigns that portray the ANC as corrupt and incapable of reform.
Public Perception
For ordinary South Africans, these events reinforce long-standing frustrations with the ANC. The party has been criticized for failing to deliver on promises of economic growth, job creation, and service delivery. Corruption scandals have eroded trust, and the exclusion of candidates may be seen as further evidence of incompetence. Voter turnout and support for opposition parties could be influenced by these perceptions.
Conclusion
The ANC’s bruising week illustrates the challenges facing South Africa’s ruling party as it prepares for the November local elections. Bribery allegations against Fikile Mbalula threaten to destabilize the party internally, while the Electoral Court’s ruling undermines its external electoral strategy. Together, these developments highlight the ANC’s vulnerability and the resilience of South Africa’s democratic institutions.
As the country moves closer to Election Day, the ANC must confront both its internal divisions and external challenges. Whether it can recover from this week’s setbacks will determine not only its electoral fortunes but also the future trajectory of South African politics.
