ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula sparked concern on Thursday, 15 October 2026, after collapsing during a live media briefing outside the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg, shortly after the party secured a significant legal victory ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
The incident occurred after the Constitutional Court ruled in favour of the ANC in its dispute with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), allowing 181 previously excluded candidates to be included on the ballot for the 4 November elections. The dispute involved candidate submissions in six municipalities across KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State and the Eastern Cape.
Following the ruling, an emotional Mbalula addressed journalists and ANC supporters, reflecting on the pressure surrounding the court battle. He revealed that the possibility of communities being unable to vote for ANC candidates had weighed heavily on him and caused sleepless nights.
However, what began as a moment of celebration quickly turned into concern when Mbalula appeared visibly distressed and was seen sweating heavily. While speaking to reporters, he indicated that he was not feeling well before slumping down, prompting those around him to rush to his assistance.
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ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri subsequently took over the briefing and confirmed that Mbalula was receiving medical attention. She also acknowledged the strain that the legal proceedings had placed on the party and its secretary-general.
Although questions have emerged about whether the heat or the emotional intensity of the occasion contributed to the incident, the exact cause of Mbalula's collapse has not been publicly confirmed in the reports available at the time of writing. The incident has shifted attention from the ANC's courtroom victory to concerns about the secretary-general's well-being.
