By Simon Nare
The ANC in Greater Johannesburg has threatened to approach the Electoral Court to challenge some local government election results if the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) fails to adequately address discrepancies raised by the party.
The region said it had accepted defeat and respected the democratic will of Johannesburg residents after its support declined from 33.60% in the 2021 local government elections to 20.25% in 2026.
However, it said a review of results in several areas had uncovered discrepancies that warranted formal objections.
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“It is in this context that the ANC in Johannesburg has undertaken a review of electoral outcomes in some areas and identified several discrepancies and matters of concern in various areas across the region.
“We have therefore submitted formal objections through the applicable electoral process. Depending on the response we will get from the IEC, we might consider taking the matter to the Electoral Court,” regional spokesperson Mantombi Nkosi said.
Nkosi cited instances during the counting process where the party disputed results and subsequently improved its electoral position following recounts.
She also said some results announced by the IEC did not correspond with information received from the party’s election agents.
Nkosi declined to disclose the number of wards being contested or how successful objections could affect the party’s electoral fortunes.
“I don’t think we would want to disclose all those wards but for example in Ward 24 (in Soweto) …maybe I can give you just one. We have put an objection for Ward 24 and we are definitely considering to put in an appeal to the IEC court for that ward. But there are quite a number of them, so that is just an example,” she said.
The ANC is also facing uncertainty over its preferred candidates for the Johannesburg mayoral position after former mayor Dada Morero and regional chairperson Loyiso Masuku failed to secure seats in the new council, effectively ruling them out of the mayoral race.
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Nkosi said the selection of mayoral candidates was being handled at national level rather than by the regional structure.
The party’s National Executive Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday to reflect on its performance in the elections and provide guidance to its structures on coalition negotiations.
In a statement reflecting on the election outcome, the Greater Johannesburg region described the results as an opportunity for introspection, organisational renewal and reflection.
The party said the accuracy of recorded results remained critical to ensuring that the final outcome reflected the votes cast by residents.
It reiterated that it respected the democratic will of Johannesburg residents and acknowledged that the results reflected their choices, concerns and expectations.
“As a movement with a long-standing responsibility towards the people of Johannesburg, we must approach this outcome with humility, honesty, and a renewed commitment to the principles of accountability and service.
“The ANC in Greater Joburg remains committed to the people of Johannesburg. Our responsibility is to listen, account, renew and continue working towards a city that provides dignity, opportunity, and a better quality of life for all its residents,” the statement said.
The party also acknowledged the contribution of its members, volunteers, election agents and activists who campaigned and engaged communities during the elections.
It said its responsibility towards Johannesburg residents extended beyond electoral outcomes and committed to listening to communities regardless of their political affiliations.
The ANC acknowledged that residents continued to face challenges involving reliable water and electricity supply, infrastructure maintenance, public safety, unemployment, housing, municipal financial management and service delivery.
“ The ANC in Greater Joburg accepts that restoring public confidence requires more than political statements. It requires visible work, consistent engagement with communities, improved organisational discipline and a demonstrable commitment to addressing the everyday challenges experienced by residents,” the party said.
