Mbalula wants DA’s future in GNU reviewed after ANC court victory

Mbalula

Johannesburg – ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has called for the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) position in the Government of National Unity (GNU) to be reviewed after the party opposed the ANC’s legal bid to reinstate 181 candidates for the November 4 local government elections. 

Mbalula made the call on Thursday after the Constitutional Court ruled in the ANC’s favour, ordering the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) to take the necessary steps to include the party’s affected candidates on the ballot in six municipalities. 

The ruling overturned an Electoral Court decision that had upheld the IEC’s exclusion of the candidates after the ANC failed to complete the final submission of its nominations before the deadline. 

Speaking after the judgment, Mbalula questioned whether the DA’s legal challenge was consistent with the principles underpinning the coalition government. 

He said the ANC was not seeking to silence its partners but believed parties that acted contrary to the GNU’s statement of intent should face scrutiny. 

The DA opposed the ANC’s application in both the Electoral Court and the Constitutional Court, arguing that allowing the party to submit its candidates after the deadline could undermine the consistent application of electoral rules. 

According to EWN Mbalula also accused the DA of seeking to disenfranchise voters by opposing the ANC’s bid to have its candidates included on the ballot. 

The DA has defended its position, saying the case raised serious questions about compliance with election deadlines and whether the same rules should apply to all political parties. 

DA Federal Council chairperson Ashor Sarupen said the party would continue to defend the rule of law despite Mbalula’s criticism. 

“We note Fikile Mbalula’s threats about the GNU. The DA is not in the GNU to go along to get along, and we will vigorously defend the rule of law and the equal application of the law,” Sarupen said. 

According to IOL Sarupen argued that the judgment raised concerns about the precedent it could set for compliance with IEC deadlines. 

He also dismissed suggestions that the ruling would significantly improve the ANC’s electoral prospects, maintaining that the party was in decline. 

The dispute follows the ANC’s failure to complete the final submission of candidate nominations in six municipalities. The party argued that it had uploaded the required information but that the finalisation process on the IEC’s online system had not been completed. 

The Constitutional Court’s ruling means the affected candidates can now be included in the electoral process. 

Court victory brings relief for ANC 

ANC members celebrated outside the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg after the judgment was delivered. 

Mbalula became emotional as he addressed the media following the ruling. He later appeared unwell and slumped during a media briefing, telling journalists: “I’m not feeling well.” 

ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri assisted him. 

The court ruling has therefore delivered a win for the ANC’s election preparations while opening another dispute between the two largest parties in the GNU. 

Mbalula’s call for a review does not mean the DA has been removed from government. Any change to the coalition arrangement would require further political discussions and decisions. 

With the local government elections scheduled for November 4, the dispute adds to tensions between coalition partners as they prepare to contest voters’ support. 

Picture: X/@MbalulaFikile

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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi

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