Fikile Mbalula back at work after sharing what led to ConCourt collapse

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said he returned to work on Sunday, 18 October 2026, after collapsing at the Constitutional Court on Thursday, 15 October 2026.

Also see: Fikile Mbalula’s collapse at ConCourt leaves Mzansi sceptical: ‘He dodged the asylum question’

Mbalula fell ill after the verdict in their case against the IEC, which had planned to exclude 181 ANC candidates from the 4 November local electoral ballot. The court ruled in the ANC’s favour.

Fikile Mbalula addresses the viral collapse

The former Minister of Transport addressed the nation from his office at Luthuli House, the ANC headquarters, through a live video posted on X yesterday. In his speech, Mbalula said the president ordered him to rest after a health scare at the Constitutional Court. His rest period ended yesterday at 06:00, allowing him to start working again.

Mbalula explained that the thought of the exclusion of ANC members on ballot papers across six municipalities in the country did not sit well with him.

“I’d carried something heavy for seven weeks: the thought that people in six municipalities might be handed a ballot paper that didn’t carry the party they had chosen. That thought sat on my chest every night,” he said.

Thus, the relief he felt when the verdict was shared by the Constitutional Court to include the 181 candidates was tremendous.

“When they spoke, the weight came off all at once, and the body did what the body does. I am a human being.”

He added that doctors examined him and he was fit as a fiddle.

[ENTIRE REMARKS FROM LUTHULI HOUSE]

Today I made remarks from Luthuli House on the aftermath of the Constitutional Court ruling that took place on the 15th of October 2026. I conveyed my message of appreciation to all South Africans who sent messages of support, including ordinary South Africans, religious and traditional leaders, ANC members, and the leadership. I also touched on the importance of why we took the legal route we took and my message of appreciation to ANC staff members and volunteers.

#VoteANC2026
#LGE2026

— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) October 18, 2026

Also see: Old video of Fikile Mbalula calling Bafana ‘useless bunch of losers’ resurfaces

IEC confirms inclusion of ANC candidates on upcoming ballot

In a letter shared by Mbalula on X, it is confirmed that the IEC will be printing ballot papers that include the formerly excluded 181 candidates in their respective municipal districts.

Chief Electoral Officer Mr PS Mamabolo confirmed that compliance for verification has been completed and none of the candidates on their candidate list appears to have been submitted by any other party. The ANC isn’t required to submit any other documents, and the ballots to be printed will contain ANC candidates.

IEC CONFIRMS INCLUSION OF ANC CANDIDATES IN THE SIX AFFECTED MUNICIPALITIES.

#VoteANC2026 https://t.co/U6WHFkJSCv

— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) October 18, 2026

Featured image: Instagram/@fikilembalula

Also see: Fikile Mbalula ‘confirms’ ANC concerns over Lesufi’s EFF finance MEC appointment