The ANC is facing yet another internal rebellion on the eve of the November 2026 local government elections, after Ward 28 councillor Nomvula Seelane defied party orders and hauled the ANC to the Johannesburg High Court over its decision to dump her as candidate.
Seelane’s court challenge comes after the ANC’s own provincial dispute resolution committee already heard her complaint, dismissed it, and upheld the disputed branch general meeting that selected Mamosa Phasha as Ward 28 candidate in Mamelodi.
Despite that ruling, Seelane is refusing to back down.
In papers filed on 6 October 2026, Seelane is asking the High Court to overturn Phasha’s selection, alleging the entire nomination process was riddled with irregularities, from rigged verification to disappearing ballot materials.
According to Seelane’s founding affidavit, the first branch general meeting on 6 June collapsed after fierce disagreements over who was even allowed to vote. No result was announced.
A community public meeting a week later, on 13 June, appeared to vindicate her. Seelane claims she received 81 votes to just four for Neville Ndlovu.
But the final branch general meeting on 19 June descended into what Seelane describes as outright manipulation.
She alleges the voter register was withheld from scrutiny and that the scanner and ballot materials were removed from the venue without proper authority.
Then, in a dramatic late-night twist, ANC deployee Joel Masilela arrived at approximately 9pm, after which voting proceeded manually.
Even then, Seelane claims she dominated. In her affidavit she says the recorded votes were: Seelane 110, Tebogo Mabala six, Ndlovu four and Kamogelo Ntlantleng two.
Despite those numbers, the ANC confirmed Phasha as its candidate.
Seelane argues the process violated the ANC’s own 2026 local government elections candidate-selection rules and procedures.
“I have been an ANC member in good standing for a period of 17 years,” she states in her affidavit, leaning on her long membership to challenge what she calls a stolen nomination.
The ANC, however, says it has already dealt with it.
In a ruling dated 24 July, the provincial dispute resolution committee found Seelane had failed to prove her case.
“The allegations raised by the disputant have been considered in their totality,” the committee stated.
“The Ward 28 BGM and the outcomes thereof are accordingly upheld,” it further read.
No rerun was ordered. Phasha’s nomination stood. For the party, the matter was closed.
Her application cites the ANC, its Gauteng provincial task team, the party’s elections committee, Phasha, and the Electoral Commission of South Africa as respondents.
The allegations in Seelane’s affidavit have not yet been tested or established by a court. Phasha and the ANC are expected to oppose the application.