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.

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 Citizen reports that ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula missed the Independent Electoral Commission deadline on 28 August, according to the title and blurb provided. Mbalula has blamed technical glitches in the Eastern Cape for the failure, while the opinionated source says he should take responsibility. No further details about the affected process, consequences, or IEC response are included in the supplied material.

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 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.

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.