ANC off the PR Ballot in Mangaung, the DA can Win!
BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR
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Wednesday, 16 September 2026
THE ELECTORAL COURT'S DISMISSAL OF THE ANC'S APPLICATION AGAINST THE IEC
THE ELECTORAL COURT'S DISMISSAL OF THE ANC'S APPLICATION AGAINST THE IEC
BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR
THE ELECTORAL COURT'S DISMISSAL OF THE ANC'S APPLICATION AGAINST THE IEC
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) notes and welcomes the decision of the Electoral Court to dismiss the African National Congress's (ANC) application challenging the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa's refusal to accommodate its late submission of candidates for the 4 November 2026 Local Government Elections.
The ruling is a victory for electoral integrity, for the rule of law, and for every party and every voter who respected the deadlines set out by the IEC. On 28 August 2026, at 5pm, the statutory deadline closed for political parties to submit their ward candidate nominations and party lists through the IEC's Online Candidate Nomination System.
Every party contesting the November elections knew this deadline months in advance, it was not sprung on anyone. The ANC failed to complete its submissions for six municipalities affecting 181 of its candidates. Rather than accept responsibility for this failure, the ANC claimed that "technical glitches" on the IEC's system prevented its administrators from clicking the final "submit" button, and approached the Electoral Court demanding that its incomplete submissions be recognised as validly made.
The IEC's response exposed this excuse for what it was. The Commission's own server logs showed zero downtime on the nomination platform before the deadline, and demonstrated that ANC officials were actively uploading candidate information for other municipalities right up until 5pm, proof that the system was fully operational the entire time.
Tellingly, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula was later forced to admit that the party's own list had contained inaccurately captured identity numbers. The "glitch" the ANC blamed on the IEC was, in truth, the ANC's own administrative failure to manage a process it had known about for months.
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AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE ELECTORAL COURT JUDGMENT
AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE ELECTORAL COURT JUDGMENT
BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR
AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE ELECTORAL COURT JUDGMENT
The African National Congress has noted the judgment of the Electoral Court concerning the dispute over the submission of the party's candidate information in the affected municipalities.
The ANC respects the courts and the judicial process. We have consistently maintained that this matter is not about seeking preferential treatment for the ANC, nor about asking the Electoral Commission to change the rules for the benefit of our organisation. It concerns the legal status of candidate information that the ANC maintains was captured into the IEC's electronic system before the prescribed deadline.
Having considered the judgment, the ANC will exercise its legal rights and pursue the appropriate appeal process. Our legal representatives will engage the court on the legal questions arising from the judgment We call on all ANC members, leaders, and supporters to remain calm and disciplined, and to refrain from public commentary that could prejudice or interfere with the ongoing legal process.
The ANC remains fully committed to the 2026 Local Government Elections.
Our focus remains on presenting our programme to South Africans, engaging communities, and earning their support through our record and our policies for the betterment of communities.
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HIGH-LEVEL DELEGATION TO MEET ON THE DISCOVERY OF SEVEN WOMEN’S BODIES IN GAUTENG
HIGH-LEVEL DELEGATION TO MEET ON THE DISCOVERY OF SEVEN WOMEN’S BODIES IN GAUTENG
HIGH-LEVEL DELEGATION TO MEET ON THE DISCOVERY OF SEVEN WOMEN’S BODIES IN GAUTENG
The Acting Minister of Police, Mr Firoz Cachalia, the Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga, the Deputy Minister of Police, Dr Polly Boshielo, The Premier of Gauteng, Mr Panyaza Lesufi and the Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, will lead a high-level delegation in a meeting this evening to receive a comprehensive briefing on the latest developments surrounding the discovery of seven women’s bodies in various parts of Gauteng.
The meeting will focus on the progress of the investigations, the deployment of multidisciplinary expertise, and measures being implemented to ensure that those responsible are identified and brought to justice.
The delegation will meet with senior SAPS management and investigators at the SAPS Gauteng Provincial Office in Parktown.
The meeting underscores the seriousness with which government and the South African Police Service are treating these incidents and the commitment to ensuring that every available resource and area of expertise is brought to bear on the investigations.
Further details will be communicated following the meeting.
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Tuesday, 15 September 2026
REPUBLIC OF CONGO SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN ENERGY AND ECONOMIC POSITION IN CENTRAL AFRICA
REPUBLIC OF CONGO SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN ENERGY AND ECONOMIC POSITION IN CENTRAL AFRICA
BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR
REPUBLIC OF CONGO SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN ENERGY AND ECONOMIC POSITION IN CENTRAL AFRICA
Republic of the Congo — The Republic of the Congo continues to rely heavily on its energy sector while seeking ways to broaden economic activity and strengthen its position in Central Africa.
Oil remains the foundation of the national economy.
The challenge is turning petroleum wealth into long-term development.
Oil at the Centre
The Republic of Congo is a significant oil producer.
Petroleum exports generate much of the country's foreign exchange and government revenue.
But dependence on oil exposes the economy to global price fluctuations.
When oil prices decline, government finances can come under pressure.
That makes diversification a major policy priority.
Agriculture offers one of the country's greatest opportunities.
The Republic of Congo possesses substantial land resources and favourable conditions for certain crops.
Yet much agricultural production remains small-scale.
Investment in roads, irrigation, storage and processing could significantly increase output.
Forestry
The Congo Basin rainforest is one of the world's most important ecosystems.
The country has a major responsibility to protect its forests while generating sustainable economic benefits.
Forestry can provide employment and export revenue if managed responsibly.
Regional Trade
Brazzaville's location along the Congo River gives the country an important commercial relationship with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The two capitals sit opposite one another across the river.
This creates opportunities for cross-border trade.
The wider Central African region also needs better transport links.
Energy
Oil and gas will remain important, but renewable energy could increasingly complement the traditional energy system.
Solar power could help rural communities where grid connections remain limited.
Young People
Employment is a major concern.
A young population requires jobs beyond government and oil companies.
Technology, agriculture, construction, tourism and logistics could provide alternative employment.
The government faces pressure to ensure that public spending produces measurable development outcomes.
Infrastructure projects must generate economic value.
Healthcare and education require sustained investment.
The Republic of Congo has substantial resources.
The challenge is converting them into diversified economic opportunity.
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