MANGAUNG METRO, FREE STATE — The controversy surrounding the ANC candidate lists submission has escalated into a high-stakes legal battle just weeks before the 2026 local government elections. The ruling party’s failure to submit the names of 181 councillor candidates by the 28 August deadline has created a severe political crisis, most notably threatening its grip on the Mangaung Metro.
As the party awaits a Constitutional Court ruling on 7 October—where it is challenging the Electoral Court’s refusal to allow a late submission—the possibility of non-participation in several areas is rapidly becoming a reality. The administrative failure has the potential to affect the party’s representation in six municipalities, with the Mangaung Metro facing the most severe consequences after failing to submit its proportional representation (PR) list.
The implications of this missing PR list are profound. Without it, the ANC cannot field a mayoral candidate for the Mangaung Metro, effectively stripping the party of political representation and the capacity to execute its manifesto in the region.
A political analyst noted that the PR list is fundamentally different from ward councillor seats, as it represents the political party itself. “Unlike the ward councillor, the PR councillor represents the mandate of a political party that they represent,” the analyst explained. “If they are not on the list or not submitted, it means that we cannot find them on our ballot papers for PR councillors, and that would be a loss for the party on its own because the political decisions that will be made will be compromised.”
Political analyst Dr Lilly Phokontsi emphasized that the ANC’s political mandate is heavily at stake in Mangaung and other affected municipalities. Should the Constitutional Court not rule in the party’s favor, the ANC will lose its representation, making it incredibly difficult to contest the mayoral position it currently holds. Phokontsi warned that this impacts the electorate directly, disrupting leadership continuity and creating an environment where minor political parties stand to benefit from the ANC’s absence.
Highlighting the historical electoral weight of the region, a senior lecturer from the University of the Free State pointed out the massive numerical loss the party faces. Reflecting on the 2021 local government elections, the lecturer noted that the ANC secured over 90,000 votes on the PR ballot in Mangaung.
“All those supporters of the ANC will come and cast their vote again, but they will not have a PR ballot to vote for, so they lose 90,000 votes,” the senior lecturer explained, adding that the broader implication is the ANC’s inability to give effect to its manifesto.
Meanwhile, Dr Ambrose du Plessis highlighted that the party is losing precious campaigning time as it diverts resources to prepare for the court battle. du Plessis noted that the uncertainty surrounding who will run, drive, and campaign for the mayoral candidate creates a severe leadership vacuum within Mangaung. “Voters are then unaware of what is going to happen in terms of going forward,” du Plessis stated, adding that the ANC has yet to propose political alternatives or a strategy for what happens next if the litigation route fails.
Another political analyst argued that the situation exposes deep internal administrative failures within the party. While acknowledging the ANC’s historical stature, the analyst insisted that the party’s unique position should not be used as an excuse for administrative errors.
“You cannot compare the African National Congress with any other political party in South Africa, but that should not be an excuse,” the analyst stated. “In fact, that should serve as an impetus for the ANC each time these kinds of events come up to try and consolidate and ensure that each candidate that is nominated will be able to contest the elections.”
The Constitutional Court is expected to hear the matter on 7 October. The outcome will determine the party’s fate on the ballot just weeks before the local government elections are set to take place on 4 November.
