Gibson Mhaka
Zimpapers Politics Hub
AFRICAN National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Fikile Mbalula reportedly collapsed after delivering an emotional address following the party’s Constitutional Court victory over the inclusion of 181 candidates on the ballot for South Africa’s November 4 local government elections.
The development came after the Constitutional Court overturned an Electoral Court ruling that had upheld the exclusion of the ANC’s affected candidate lists and ward nominations.
According to South African broadcaster SABC News, the Constitutional Court ruled that the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) should include the affected candidates on ballot papers for the elections.
The dispute arose after the ANC failed to click the “Submit as Final” button on the IEC’s online candidate nomination system before the August 28 deadline, affecting 181 candidates across six municipalities.
Addressing journalists outside the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg following the judgment, Mbalula became emotional as he reflected on the significance of the ruling.
“I’m standing on the steps of Constitutional Hill. On this hill, our people were once held in cells for demanding the very thing that has been decided in this building today,” he said.
He added that the Constitution had spoken for the people of South Africa.
Mbalula also thanked ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa for his leadership during what he described as a difficult month, saying the president had insisted that the party pursue the matter through lawful channels.
He further acknowledged the support of the party’s national officials, national chairperson and structures, including the women’s and veterans’ leagues.
During his address, Mbalula reportedly said he was not feeling well before collapsing and being removed from the area.
The circumstances surrounding the reported collapse and his subsequent condition had not been independently confirmed in the sources reviewed.
