EKURHULENI, Gauteng — The African National Congress (ANC) has warned it may approach the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) after members of the Democratic Alliance (DA) attended its local government manifesto launch in Diepsloot last weekend. This development intensifies the political battle for local government control ahead of the November 4 municipal elections.
According to emerging reports, two members of the DA’s Johannesburg mayoral candidate team were spotted at the ANC event, with one individual reportedly wearing an ANC t-shirt. The ANC has condemned the presence as “espionage” and an act of “fear and desperation,” accusing the attendees of taking early-morning photographs to falsely propagate that the rally was not well-attended. The ANC maintained that the event was, in fact, “packed to capacity.”
In response, the DA has pushed back against the allegations, asserting that the manifesto launch was a public event open to all. However, the incident has placed DA leadership directly in the firing line of the ANC’s aggressive campaign to retain control of the country’s economic hub.
The controversy unfolds as the ANC holds a special extended National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Ekurhuleni to finalize its list of mayoral candidates. Political parties face a strict August 28 deadline to submit their candidate lists to the IEC ahead of the polls.
Despite the friction, the ANC emphasized its commitment to running a clean, policy-driven campaign rather than a negative one. Party representatives highlighted their governance track record, stating that between 2021 and 2026, the party oversaw the construction of nearly half a million housing units. Additionally, the ANC noted it is currently upgrading more than 11 bulk water infrastructure projects to resolve historical water supply issues and make water infrastructure failures a thing of the past.
The candidate selection process has also sparked internal discussions regarding educational requirements. While there have been community calls to allow candidates without a matric (Grade 12) certificate to serve on local councils, the ANC clarified its official guidelines. Existing, community-backed candidates without a matric certificate can apply for a waiver directly through the IEC, not the party’s Secretary-General (SG). However, for new entrants, priority will be given to those with a Grade 12 qualification to occupy council positions.
Furthermore, the ANC stressed that educational standards for top leadership are non-negotiable. A prospective mayoral candidate for the ANC must possess a university postgraduate degree; individuals without this specific qualification will not be considered for the mayoral position.
Electoral observers note that while the ANC has threatened to report the matter to the IEC, the electoral code of conduct does not explicitly bar political party members from attending a rival’s public rally. As the August 28 deadline approaches, both parties are expected to keep their campaign strategies sharply focused on voter outreach and manifesto articulation.