BREAKING: ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula Collapses

By Moses Ndlovu


JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula collapsed during a media briefing on Thursday, 15 October 2026, shortly after the Constitutional Court ruled in the party’s favour in a dispute over 181 candidates excluded from the upcoming local government elections.

According to South African media reports, Mbalula became emotional while addressing the outcome of the court case before telling those present that he was not feeling well and subsequently slumping.

ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu reportedly assisted him before taking over the briefing and informing journalists that he was receiving medical attention.

Reporters were asked to switch off their cameras as the incident unfolded.

The collapse came hours after the Constitutional Court overturned an earlier Electoral Court decision that had upheld the exclusion of the ANC candidates from the 4 November 2026 local government election ballot.

The ruling directs the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) to take the necessary steps to include the affected candidates.

BREAKING: ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula Collapses After Court Victory

The Electoral Court had previously rejected the party’s challenge, prompting the ANC to approach the Constitutional Court.