ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula is facing a backlash within the party over chaos surrounding its election candidate lists, according to TimesLIVE. Candidates were reportedly left off lists submitted to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), putting the party at risk of losing control of some municipalities. The blunder has sparked internal criticism of Mbalula, known as 'Boss', over his handling of the selection process.

Eastern Cape ANC provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi has publicly challenged the party's secretary-general Fikile Mbalula over the ANC's failure to submit council candidates for elections. According to TimesLIVE, Ngcukayitobi is demanding answers as a bitter internal blame game erupts within the party over who is responsible for the failed submission. The dispute highlights deepening divisions inside the ANC ahead of the polls.

The Democratic Alliance risks losing its majority control of the City of Cape Town unless it intensifies campaigning ahead of the November 4 municipal elections, according to the latest Ipsos electoral survey reported by TimesLIVE. The survey indicates the Patriotic Alliance is growing while the ANC is clawing back support, placing the DA's hold on the metro under threat.

A TimesLIVE poll asks whether South African voters can trust the ANC to manage their municipalities if the party cannot correctly compile its election candidate lists. The question comes amid growing concerns over service delivery, as the governing party reportedly struggles with basic election procedures ahead of local polls. The poll invites readers to weigh in on the ANC's administrative competence and its implications for municipal governance.

ANC national executive committee member Mondli Gungubele likened the party to a Rolls-Royce driven by drunkards, saying it remains popular with South Africans but has lost electoral support because voters no longer trust its leaders. According to the report, Gungubele made the remarks while reflecting on the party's declining fortunes, arguing that the organisation itself retains appeal despite public frustration with its current leadership and governance record.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has attributed the omission of Frank Chikane's name from the party's mayoral candidate list to an error, according to TimesLIVE. Mbalula said he would be the first to admit if he had done anything wrong, indicating a willingness to take responsibility for the mistake. The explanation comes amid scrutiny over the ANC's candidate selection process ahead of South African local government elections.