ANC to appeal court ruling in Andile Lungisa candidate list dispute

The African National Congress (ANC) says it will appeal the Johannesburg High Court ruling in favour of Andile Lungisa over his removal from the party’s proportional representation (PR) candidate list for the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.

Lungisa reportedly appeared on the ANC’s initial candidate list but was removed from the final list submitted to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) for the 4 November local government elections.

After being urged to use the party’s internal structures to resolve the dispute, Lungisa approached the court, arguing that his removal was unlawful. The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg subsequently ruled in his favour.

COURT RULES IN FAVOUR OF ANDILE LUNGISA

In a ruling delivered on Friday, 9 October, Judge Nelisa Mali directed the ANC to restore Andile Lungisa’s name to its internal proportional representation candidate list. The party was also ordered to submit his name to the IEC, provided it is legally permitted to amend its list.

Lungisa had alleged that ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula removed his name after the candidate-selection process had reached its final stages. However, the court did not hold Mbalula personally liable, the Daily Maverick reported.

[BREAKING] The High Court in Johannesburg invalidates Andile Lungisa’s removal from the ANC’s candidates list. Mbalula, the ANC & the NEC have been ordered to take immediate steps to ensure that Lungisa’s name is reinstated to the party’s internal list.@Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/jjxstevfq7

— Zoleka Qodashe (@ZOLEKV_Q) October 9, 2026

ANC TO APPEAL COURT JUDGEMENT

The former ruling party said it respected the independence of the judiciary and the constitutional authority of the courts but had resolved to appeal the judgment.

The party said the ruling “raises fundamental questions concerning the organisational autonomy of political parties and their authority to regulate internal democratic processes”.

The ANC maintained that selecting candidates for public office was an organisational responsibility governed by its constitution, established guidelines and collective decision-making structures.

“The ANC believes that the judgement raises important legal questions regarding the interpretation and application of these internal rules, particularly the authority to enforce candidate eligibility requirements and uphold organisational discipline.

“These matters warrant further judicial consideration to ensure clarity on the constitutional relationship between political parties, their internal democratic processes and the courts,” ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said.