ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe rejected suggestions that the party uses RDP housing to buy votes, after criticism over the government’s housing programme. According to The Citizen, Mantashe defended the ANC’s 32 years in government and said its social policies were aimed at “servicing society,” not securing electoral support. The remarks followed a backlash linked to RDP housing, with Mantashe framing the programme as part of broader social delivery rather than a campaign tactic.

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.

Inaccurate and unverified ID numbers have been found on ANC election candidate lists in South Africa, according to The Citizen. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula stressed that the party's court challenge over the issue should not be interpreted as an attack on the credibility of the electoral process. The development raises questions about the accuracy of candidate registration ahead of elections.

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.

Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema has promised to increase South Africa's SASSA social grants to R4500 if his party is elected to power. According to The South African, Malema views grant increases as a key way to win over voters ahead of elections. The pledge forms part of the EFF's broader campaign promises, which centre on expanded social support and economic redress for poorer South Africans.

South African reality TV star Musa Mseleku has denied claims that his wife Sne is entering politics, after fake campaign posters circulated on social media. According to TimesLIVE, the posters emerged as local government elections approach and several South African celebrities have made surprise moves into politics. Mseleku publicly set the record straight, stating that Sne is not involved in politics and dismissing the social media-created material as false.