ANC vs IEC | The IEC reacts to the court judgement: Masego Sheburi

Explosive Media Briefing at Election Headquarters Reveals Massive Disqualifications and High-Stakes Legal Battle

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A tense, high-stakes press conference at the Electoral Commission headquarters in Centurion transformed into an intense confrontation as authorities revealed the final candidate list ahead of the 2026 local government elections.

SABC News reporter Anelisa Katlane broadcast live from the scene, capturing the immediate fallout of a monumental legal victory for the Electoral Commission against the African National Congress.

Chief Electoral Officer Masego Sheburi stood firm at the podium, confronting intense questioning regarding the credibility of the institution following bitter disputes over missed candidate submission deadlines.

Political figures claimed that technical glitches sabotaged candidate submissions on deadline day, but Masego Sheburi directly refuted those allegations, confirming that all system checks were operational and no technological failures occurred on the commission’s end.

Addressing the fierce public controversy and accusations surrounding the court battle, Masego Sheburi defended the absolute integrity of the electoral body while confirming full compliance with the court’s official mandate.

“We do not consider ourselves beyond reproach and in fact our scheme is predicated precisely on that that where we fall short there should be mechanisms to review the decisions of the commission as it relates to the nomination of the ANC candidates we are adamant that we are not in the wrong we have noted the decision of the electoral court and we are proceeding to implement that decision”, Masego Sheburi declared.

Acknowledging the opposing party’s relentless legal maneuvers, Masego Sheburi welcomed further judicial scrutiny as the ruling party explores additional legal avenues.

“We are thankful that they are going to court and we will deal with those matters as and when they are raised because we also accept that the party must vindicate its right”, Masego Sheburi stated.

When pressed on whether one of the warring entities was lying to the public, Masego Sheburi clarified that the court reached its ruling based on strict legal interpretation rather than dishonesty between the parties.

In a shocking revelation that stunned political observers, Masego Sheburi confirmed that over 5,000 candidates have been completely disqualified from contesting the upcoming elections.

Out of 142,000 nominated individuals, more than 5,000 failed to satisfy strict statutory requirements during the rigorous certification phase.

Masego Sheburi explained that candidates were ruthlessly purged after failing to pay mandatory election deposits, which the commission has no legal authority to excuse.

Others were stripped from candidate lists after being nominated by multiple political parties simultaneously, while additional individuals were disqualified for failing to complete mandatory acceptance of nomination documentation.

With the deadline looming, Masego Sheburi announced that the complete, verified list of approved political parties and qualified candidates will be officially published before 5:00 PM today.

Looking directly toward election day on November 4, Masego Sheburi outlined an aggressive, non-negotiable operational timetable leading up to the vote.

Following today’s official candidate publication, the commission will hold a formal event next Wednesday to determine the precise sequencing of political parties on the ballot paper.

Immediate mass production will follow, with official printing operations scheduled to generate 78 million ballot papers, incorporating 4,608 unique ward ballots designed for every voting station across the country.

Masego Sheburi announced that official applications for special votes will open on September 21, accommodating two distinct categories of voters.

Citizens who are traveling away from their voting districts on election day can apply to cast their ballots early on either Monday or Tuesday before the public holiday on Wednesday, November 4.

Physical home visits will be conducted for voters confined by physical conditions, provided the place of confinement lies strictly within their registered voting district.

Closing the live broadcast from Centurion, Anelisa Katlane handed back to the studio as the Electoral Commission moves forward with full force toward the historic vote.

ANC vs IEC | The IEC reacts to the court judgement: Masego Sheburi

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