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.

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.

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.

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.

The APC is facing criticism for modifying its National Assembly candidates' list, which has sparked concerns regarding internal democracy as the party prepares for the upcoming 2027 elections, according to Punch.

South African political party Afrika Mayibuye has defended its decision to field Themba "SkeemGP" Nzimande, an ex-convict, as a mayoral candidate. According to SABC Politics, the party is facing fierce public backlash following the announcement of Nzimande's candidacy. The party has stood by its choice despite the criticism from the public over his criminal record.