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.

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 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.

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.