GQEBERHA, Wednesday 21 October 2026 — ANC National Executive Committee member Andile Lungisa has insisted that he is the party’s preferred mayoral candidate for Nelson Mandela Bay, despite the organisation’s decision to delay final mayoral announcements until after the 4 November local government elections.
Lungisa’s claim adds to uncertainty over the ANC’s leadership plans in the Eastern Cape metro, where incumbent Mayor Babalwa Lobishe is also seeking another term.
The dispute follows a High Court ruling earlier this month concerning Lungisa’s removal from the ANC’s internal proportional representation candidate list.
Lungisa claims support from ANC structures
Speaking to Daily Maverick on Tuesday, Lungisa maintained that ANC structures and communities in Nelson Mandela Bay had already identified him as their preferred mayoral candidate.
He claimed that President Cyril Ramaphosa had previously communicated a decision supporting his candidacy during an engagement with the party’s regional leadership.
However, the ANC has not issued a formal announcement confirming Lungisa as its final mayoral candidate.
Lungisa argued that branch and community support should determine the party’s leadership choice.
He also criticised Lobishe’s campaign activities, claiming that he had received stronger support from communities across the municipality.
Those claims have not been independently established as the ANC’s official position.
ANC delays final mayoral selections
The ANC previously shortlisted Lungisa, Lobishe and ANC Women’s League regional secretary Nontombi Nama for the Nelson Mandela Bay mayoral position.
The party had initially planned to announce its preferred mayoral candidates before the elections.
However, it subsequently decided to postpone final announcements.
The decision means voters will go to the polls without the ANC having formally confirmed who it intends to nominate for mayor in several major municipalities.
The mayor will ultimately be elected by the new municipal council following the elections.
Court ruling complicates dispute
Lungisa’s position was further complicated when the ANC removed him from its internal proportional representation candidate list in August.
He challenged the decision in the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Johannesburg.
On 9 October, Judge Nelisa Mali ruled that the party’s decision to remove Lungisa was unlawful and unconstitutional.
The court ordered the ANC to reinstate him to its internal proportional representation list and to submit his name for possible inclusion on a supplementary list if the Electoral Commission permitted it.
The ruling concerned his removal from the candidate list. It did not appoint him as the ANC’s mayoral candidate.
The ANC subsequently indicated that it intended to appeal.
National spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said the party believed the judgment raised important questions concerning political parties’ authority to regulate internal candidate-selection processes.
Women’s League disputes endorsement claim
Lungisa has also claimed support from the ANC Women’s League and Youth League.
However, ANC Women’s League regional chairperson Nomthandazo Dyantyi said the organisation had not formally endorsed a particular mayoral candidate.
The ANC Youth League-led Progressive Youth Alliance previously expressed support for Lungisa.
The party’s Veterans’ League has raised concerns about his previous criminal conviction.
Lungisa was convicted of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm following an incident involving a DA councillor during a Nelson Mandela Bay council meeting in 2016.
Leadership decision remains unresolved
The dispute places renewed attention on the ANC’s internal selection procedures as campaigning enters its final stages.
Lobishe remains the incumbent mayor, while Lungisa continues to present himself as the candidate supported by local structures.
No final party decision confirming either individual as the ANC’s mayoral nominee has been independently established.
The outcome will depend on the ANC’s internal processes, any further court proceedings and the composition of the municipal council after the elections.
