ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula is set to brief the media on Thursday on key outcomes of the party’s National Working Committee meeting, including developments in the Phala Phala impeachment inquiry, local election preparations and mayoral nominations ahead of the November polls.
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula will brief the media on Thursday afternoon on the outcomes of the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting, including developments relating to the Phala Phala impeachment committee, the party's election campaign preparations and the mayoral nomination processes.
The briefing is scheduled for 1pm at the ANC's headquarters, Chief Albert Luthuli House, in Johannesburg.
In a statement, the party said Mbalula would address a range of political developments and matters of national interest.
"The briefing forms part of the ANC's ongoing commitment to engage the people of South Africa through the media and provide clarity on issues of public importance, including the Eastern Cape PTT legal issues, the Madibeng mayor recall matter, parliamentary Section 89 processes, ANC election campaign preparations, the mayoral nomination process and key geopolitical issues," the party said.
The briefing comes as political parties have until July 10, 2026, to submit the names of senior counsel who could lead evidence before Parliament's impeachment committee in the Section 89 inquiry.
The committee will examine matters arising from the theft of $580,000 allegedly hidden inside a sofa at President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo in February 2020.
The committee met on Wednesday to discuss its draft terms of reference and the appointment process for evidence leaders.
Proceedings began with a review of correspondence relating to legal action brought by Ramaphosa, who is seeking to interdict the committee.
The interdict application is scheduled to be heard in the Western Cape High Court on July 15 and 16.
The National Assembly adopted revised rules for the Section 89 inquiry process late on Tuesday after Rule 129I of the Assembly's rules was declared unconstitutional and invalid by the Constitutional Court.
During discussions on correspondence between the president's legal team, the Speaker's office and committee members, several parties expressed frustration with Speaker Thoko Didiza's decision not to oppose Ramaphosa's interdict application.
Meanwhile, South Africa's local government elections are scheduled for Nov. 4, and several political parties have already announced their mayoral candidates.
The ANC has yet to announce candidates for all municipalities, including the key metropolitan councils of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni.
IOL News previously reported that the ANC Greater Johannesburg Region declined to comment on reports that deputy mayor Loyiso Masuku had emerged as its preferred mayoral candidate, while incumbent mayor Dada Morero was reportedly excluded from the list submitted to Luthuli House.
Responding to questions from IOL News, the ANC said the process was being handled by the National Officials Body (NOB) and that outcomes would be announced once internal processes had been completed.
"We unfortunately cannot respond to any of these questions simply because this process is a process of the NOB, not regions.
"Once the NOB has concluded its internal process, there will be a media statement informing the public of the results," ANC Johannesburg regional spokesperson Mantombi Nkosi previously said.
The response followed reports that the Regional Executive Committee (REC) had nominated Masuku as the sole candidate for consideration as the ANC's mayoral candidate in Johannesburg.
According to reports, the REC resolved that regional office-bearers should deliberate on a list of names for consideration.
Those reportedly under discussion include Nhlanhla Lux, the Rev. Frank Chikane, Chichi Maponya and Jabu Moleketi.
Masuku is currently Johannesburg's deputy mayor, Lux is a former Operation Dudula leader and immigration activist, Chikane chairs the ANC Integrity Commission, Maponya is a businesswoman and Moleketi is a former deputy finance minister.
The ANC is understood not to have begun formal interviews with candidates, although reports say the process is expected to be finalised by the end of June.
While Morero was reportedly excluded from the nomination list, he has been selected to serve on the Gauteng Provincial Task Team (PTT).
In Ekurhuleni, the contest is reportedly centred on current mayor and regional chairperson Nkosindiphile Xhakaza and regional secretary Jongizizwe Dlabathi.
The ANC in Ekurhuleni previously declined to comment.
"Out of respect for the internal process, we are unfortunately unable to comment," ANC Ekurhuleni spokesperson Thabang Mashiyane said.
In Tshwane, reports suggest the initial regional list, which included roads and transport MMC Tlangi Mogale, was rejected by national structures and sent back for further consideration.
Independent political analyst Solly Rashilo said the ANC's Johannesburg mayoral selection process reflects a party facing declining support, internal divisions and mounting pressure ahead of the elections.
"The reported exclusion of Dada Morero suggests a lack of confidence in current leadership and highlights ongoing factional battles within the organisation," Rashilo said.
“While Loyiso Masuku may be a leading contender, changing individuals without addressing broader governance and service-delivery concerns is unlikely to reverse the ANC's electoral decline.
"The decision to consider non-members for mayoral positions can be seen as an admission that the party's traditional leadership pipeline is weakening and that it needs to look beyond its own structures for credible candidates.
"Overall, the process suggests an ANC that is increasingly focused on limiting electoral losses and maintaining relevance rather than operating from a position of political dominance,” he previously said.
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