POLOKWANE, Limpopo — The African National Congress (ANC) in Limpopo is addressing mounting internal disputes over ward councillor candidates in Ga-Sekgopo and Luthuli Park, as disgruntled local members threaten to boycott the upcoming November 2026 local government elections.
At the heart of the controversy in Ward 14 of Luthuli Park, Polokwane, is community frustration over the party’s decision to overlook their preferred candidate, Michael. Residents argue that the ANC disregarded the community’s choice during the phase two election candidate nominations. Locals expressed shock that their chosen nominee did not make it onto the ballot, while an incumbent councillor who, according to residents, has failed to deliver for the community in the previous term was re-elected.
Similar grievances have emerged in Ward 10 in Ga-Sekgopo, where members have formally questioned the inclusion of a candidate who allegedly does not reside in the ward. Community members claim the branch secretary pushed through a candidate who actually lives in Ward 129. Residents noted that the individual owns no property in Ward 10, and that both his mother and sister reside in Ward 129, directly contradicting community expectations that a councillor should live in the ward they serve.
Despite these objections, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) maintains that prospective candidates registered under the same municipality are legally permitted to contest any ward within that municipal jurisdiction.
The disgruntled members escalated their concerns by filing official complaints with the ANC’s Provincial List Committee (PLC) after initially raising the issues with the Provincial Dispute Resolution Committee (PDRC). However, both committees reviewed and dismissed the disputes, a verdict that has only deepened local dissatisfaction.
Community members have expressed profound disappointment, warning that the ANC will lose the upcoming elections to rival parties if the current candidate lists remain unchanged. Emphasizing that the party’s own guidelines stipulate that a councillor must come from the community they intend to serve, locals have described the process as corrupt and have openly threatened to boycott the local government elections.
In response to the growing unrest, the ANC provincial leadership has firmly defended its nomination process. An ANC provincial representative stated that the party has adhered to all established guidelines where challenges arose. The leadership emphasized that the PDRC thoroughly handled all initial disputes, and subsequent appeals to the PLC were addressed comprehensively. The province maintains that it has done everything in its power to ensure the nomination processes run smoothly and compliantly.
Meanwhile, the ANC has continued its broader electoral preparations across the province, recently unveiling its councillor candidates in Limpopo ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
