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 chairperson Oscar Mabuyane says he is not ruling out internal sabotage after the party missed candidate registration deadlines, according to TimesLIVE. Mabuyane reportedly suspects that figures within the ANC may have deliberately contributed to the administrative failure. The missed deadline has raised questions about internal party tensions as the ANC prepares for upcoming elections, with Mabuyane calling for accountability over the blunder.

Several prominent ANC figures, including Chikane, Lungisa and Mafu, have been left off the party's election lists amid internal nomination turmoil, according to TimesLIVE. The exclusions affect key mayoral hopefuls and highlight divisions within the party as it prepares its candidate slates for upcoming elections in South Africa.

The ANC has filed court papers challenging the exclusion of unregistered candidates ahead of South Africa's local government elections. According to the party, it was unable to register the candidates because of technical glitches in the Electoral Commission's (IEC) system. The legal action seeks to address the registration failures so the affected candidates can participate in the polls.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has responded to recent anti-illegal immigration protests by suggesting that public frustration regarding border security should be addressed through voting rather than demonstrations. He emphasized the importance of using the ballot box to express concerns about porous borders.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has demanded that ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula apologize within 48 hours for remarks they claim are defamatory. The EFF is requesting a public video apology and a retraction of the statements from all of Mbalula's social media platforms, warning that failure to comply will result in legal action.