REPRESENTATION:  Electoral commission invokes equal treatment after the Constitutional Court reinstates 181 ANC candidates, but warns that changes have squeezed preparations for the November 4 municipal elections…

By Lehlohonolo Lehana

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has extended candidate-list relief to 32 other political parties following a Constitutional Court ruling reinstating 181 ANC candidates in six municipalities.

Announcing the decision today, IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya said the commission had a constitutional obligation to treat electoral contestants fairly and consistently.

The court directed the IEC to include 51 ANC ward candidates and 130 proportional representation candidates who had initially been excluded during the nomination process.

“The Electoral Commission has noted and accepted the Constitutional Court’s ruling and directive regarding the African National Congress and the submission of its candidate lists for the 2026 local government elections,” Moepya said.

“The Commission has already put in place processes to give effect to this judicial injunction.”

Moepya said the IEC had identified 32 other parties in a similar position. They had nominated compliant candidates and paid their election deposits but had not completed the final submission of their candidate lists.

The parties had intended to contest elections in 121 municipalities across the country.

“Consistent with the constitutional imperative for free and fair elections, as well as the importance of upholding the inherent principle of parity of treatment, the Commission has resolved that the 32 similarly situated parties must be deemed to have lawfully submitted their candidates,” he said.

Moepya said excluding parties whose circumstances mirrored those of the ANC would be irrational and contrary to the principle of equal treatment.

“The Commission emphasises that the inclusion of parties was made judiciously and solely for the purposes of advancing free and fair elections demanded by our Constitution.”

However, 13 other political parties did not meet the requirements for the lawful submission of candidates and would not benefit from the relief.

The decision has added pressure to the IEC’s preparations, with ballot production and other logistical arrangements having to be completed within a shortened period.

Moepya said approximately 33 million ballots would have to be produced to accommodate the changes. Printing for the six municipalities affected by the ANC’s court challenge had been held back pending the judgment.

Despite the disruption, he said the commission did not expect the developments to affect the November 4 election date.

“At the moment, the Commission does not anticipate that these developments will affect November 4, election date. However, it is apparent that our logistical preparations have been significantly affected.”

“The logistical operations, therefore, will now have to be conducted within a very truncated period and under very strict supervision,” he said.

The IEC will contact the 32 parties to confirm whether they still intend to participate in the elections and complete the necessary nomination processes.

Moepya reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to respecting court decisions and ensuring fair and consistent treatment of political parties throughout the electoral process. – Fullview

MIRROR  Briefs

Police boss back at helm

The Acting Minister of Police ,  Firoz Cachalia has welcomed the decision by  President Cyril Ramaphosa, to uplift the precautionary suspension of the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Fannie Masemola, following the formal withdrawal of charges against him.

Cachalia  also expressed his appreciation to Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane for her professionalism, leadership and dedicated service as Acting National Commissioner during this period.

The Ministry remained  committed to strengthening the South African Police Service as they  continued with the Police Reset Agenda, advancing professionalism, accountability and ensuring that the organisation remained focused on its constitutional mandate to protect and serve all people in South Africa.

Ramaphosa was full of praise for Masemola who he said remained disciplined and quiet during his suspension while investigations around him were ongoing. He was confident that Masemola , who officially returns to his post on Monday,  would continue to lead the SAPS with dignity.

The return of the National Commissioner is expected to provide an opportunity for the leadership of the SAPS to maintain focus on operational priorities and the ongoing work to build a professional, capable and trusted police service as per the Police Reset Agenda. – SAnews

Relief for residents

The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) has called on qualifying residents and municipal account holders to take advantage of the city’s Debt Relief Programme Phase 4 before applications close on  October 31, 2026.

According to the CoJ, the programme is aimed at efforts to assist qualifying customers experiencing financial difficulties, rehabilitate municipal accounts, encourage responsible payment behaviour and strengthen the City’s long-term revenue sustainability. Some 18 043 applications have already been received, representing R2.052 billion in outstanding municipal debt across various customer categories.

CoJ Director of Communications and Stakeholder Management in Group Finance, Kgamanyane Maphologela, urged customers to apply with haste. “We are making a final appeal to all qualifying residents and account holders who have not yet submitted their applications not to wait for the last minute.

“The Debt Relief Programme presents an important opportunity for eligible customers to address historical municipal debt and work towards restoring their accounts to good standing’’.

Apply for the programme by:

•     Visiting an official City of Johannesburg Revenue Customer Service Centre for assistance with the application process and submission of the required documentation.

•     Visiting www.joburg.org.za and select the Debt Relief Programme link or icon to access the relevant application information and online process.

Applicants should ensure that all information supplied is accurate and that the necessary supporting documents are included. – SAnews

Bust Carrim in court

The controversial businessman Suliman Carrim  spent the weekend behind bars after his bail hearing was postponed to Monday for the address verification.

Carrim  appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Friday on a charge of contravening the Commission’s Act  relating to his failure to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

The 49-year-old was arrested on Thursday night while with his wife before boarding an international flight to Dubai. It was established that Carrim was travelling to Saudi Arabia via Dubai, where he said he intended to undertake a religious pilgrimage.

 Investigating officer, Captain Jimmy Kubayi, said Carrim was travelling with five “voluminous” bags of luggage when he was arrested.

Questions were also raised about whether he had a return ticket and intended to come back to South Africa.

Carrim told the court his doctor had “encouraged” him to proceed with the trip because travelling was likely to help him “feel better” as he battled a heart condition, anxiety and other health problems.

State prosecutor, Donald Shiko pushed back, questioning why his doctor would encourage him to undertake an international trip when his health had previously prevented him from returning to the Madlanga Commission and being subjected to further questioning.

“I’m not well. Even my doctors advised me not to be cross-examined,” Carrim told the court. – Lehlohonolo  Lehana.