EKURHULENI, Gauteng — The African National Congress (ANC) is considering filing a formal complaint with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) after Democratic Alliance (DA) representatives attended its Diepsloot manifesto launch last weekend. The incident has escalated tensions between the two major political rivals as the August 28 deadline for municipal election candidate submissions rapidly approaches.
According to ANC spokespersons, two individuals affiliated with the DA’s Johannesburg mayoral campaign were identified at the ANC event, with one notably wearing an ANC-branded t-shirt. Party leadership has characterized this infiltration as an act of political espionage driven by fear and desperation. The ANC alleges that the visitors took photographs early in the morning to falsely circulate narratives that the rally lacked attendance, firmly maintaining that the venue was, in fact, packed to capacity.
Conversely, the DA has dismissed the backlash, arguing that the manifesto launch was a public gathering inherently open to anyone. Nevertheless, the confrontation underscores the fierce battle for control over South Africa’s economic hub ahead of the November 4 municipal polls.
The dispute coincides with a special extended National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Ekurhuleni, where the ANC is rushing to finalize its mayoral candidate lists. Party officials remain focused on wooing the electorate by highlighting their governance record, emphasizing a commitment to a clean, policy-focused campaign rather than engaging in negative politics.
Defending its legacy, ANC representatives pointed to specific achievements between 2021 and 2026. The party cited the construction of 451 housing units, which amounts to almost half a million houses, fulfilling a core commitment to voters. Additionally, the ANC noted ongoing upgrades to more than 11 bulk water infrastructure projects aimed at permanently resolving historical water supply challenges and making infrastructure failures a thing of the past.
As the candidate selection process intensifies, the ANC has also addressed public debates regarding educational requirements for local councilors. While communities have advocated for beloved local figures without a matric (Grade 12) certificate to serve on councils, the party clarified its official protocols. Incumbent candidates lacking the qualification can petition the IEC directly for a waiver, rather than approaching the party’s Secretary-General. However, for new entrants, priority will strictly favor applicants holding a Grade 12 certificate for council positions.
The party drew a hard line regarding top-tier leadership, stating that educational standards for mayoral candidates are entirely non-negotiable. Any prospective ANC mayoral candidate must possess a university postgraduate degree; individuals without this specific qualification will not be considered for the role.
Despite the ANC’s threats to escalate the matter to the electoral watchdog, legal analysts and electoral guidelines note that the current code of conduct does not explicitly prohibit members of one political party from attending a rival’s public campaign event. As the submission deadline looms, both parties are expected to keep their focus sharply on voter outreach and manifesto articulation.
