ANC to Appeal Court Ruling Ordering Lungisa’s Reinstatement on Candidate List
The African National Congress (ANC) will appeal a Gauteng High Court ruling ordering it to reinstate Andile Lungisa on its Nelson Mandela Bay proportional representation candidate list ahead of the 4 November local government elections.
In a statement today, Friday, 9 October, ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said the party respects the courts but believes the judgment raises concerns about political parties’ autonomy to manage their internal selection processes.
Judge Nelisa Mali ruled that Lungisa’s removal was unlawful, finding that the ANC had not demonstrated that he was disqualified through vetting or removed in accordance with party rules. The court ordered the ANC, secretary-general Fikile Mbalula and the NEC to restore his name to the internal list and pay his legal costs.
The dispute follows the ANC’s decision to remove Lungisa despite his placement at the top of the list. The party had cited concerns linked to his assault conviction, which was upheld on appeal by the Supreme Court of Appeal.
The ANC says it will pursue legal remedies while urging members to focus on the upcoming elections. It remains unclear whether the appeal will affect Lungisa’s inclusion on the final ballot.
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