The Johannesburg High Court has declared the ANC’s decision to disqualify NEC member Andile Lungisa from the November 4 local government elections unlawful, invalid and unconstitutional, ordering the party to take steps to reinstate him.

Thembelihle Mabanga

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The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has ruled in favour of ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) member Andile Lungisa in his legal challenge against the party’s decision to exclude him from its candidate list for the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.

The court declared Lungisa’s disqualification from the November 4 local government elections unlawful, invalid and unconstitutional.

Lungisa had approached the court to challenge the decision, citing the ANC, its National Executive Committee and secretary-general as respondents in the matter.

The dispute centred on the party’s decision to exclude him from its list of candidates for Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality ahead of the upcoming local government elections.

Following the ruling, the ANC has been directed to take steps to reinstate Lungisa.

Meanwhile, ANC First Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane has called for urgent intervention by the party to resolve the dispute between Mbalula and Lungisa, saying the matter should not be allowed to escalate in public.

Mokonyane made the call during her campaign trail in Ivory Park on Tuesday, emphasising that the party’s internal processes and legal obligations should be considered when resolving the dispute.