ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula collapsed shortly after addressing the media following the party’s victory in its legal battle against the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) over the submission of candidate lists for the upcoming local government elections.
The Constitutional Court ruled in favour of the ANC after the party challenged the exclusion of 181 of its candidates from the elections, paving the way for them to be included on the ballot for the November polls.
An emotional Mbalula welcomed the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the supremacy of the Constitution.
“The Constitution has spoken, and it has spoken for the people of this country,” he said.
Mbalula appeared visibly emotional while addressing journalists, sweating heavily and shedding tears as he reflected on the outcome of the legal battle.
He collapsed shortly after telling journalists that he was not feeling well.
Following the ruling, Mbalula thanked President Cyril Ramaphosa, ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe, the party’s women’s and youth leagues, as well as Africa Mayibuye leader Floyd Shivambu, for their support during the legal challenge against the IEC.
The court’s decision means the IEC will have to reprint ballot papers for the affected wards to accommodate the ANC candidates.
On Wednesday, the commission indicated that the process could affect additional wards, as other political parties that had also failed to submit their candidate lists on time but had not approached the courts were expected to seek legal recourse.