Johannesburg – The Democratic Alliance (DA), the second largest partner in the Government of National Unity, says it “respects the rule of law and respects the judgement of the Constitutional Court”.
Earlier on Thursday, 15 October 2026, the court ruled in favour of the African National Congress (ANC), the largest GNU partner.
The court ordered the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) to include 181 of the ANC candidates on ballot papers for the 4 November local government elections after they were previously excluded over failures in the online nomination process.
Commenting on the ruling, Ashor Sarupen, DA Federal Council Chairperson, said: “The judgement raises serious concerns about the precedent it sets for complying with the IEC’s deadlines and requirements, as the courts have held that strict mechanical compliance applies to deadlines in every matter up to now”.
Sarupen added: “The ANC has now succeeded in court to undoing their own failure to submit candidate lists in 6 municipalities.
“However, this will not change their electoral fortunes.
‘The ANC is in terminal decline, and across South Africa its support is at record lows.”
Sarupen said the DA noted ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula’s threats about the GNU.
Speaking after the court ruling, Mbalula indicated that the ANC may need to reassess its relationship with the DA in the GNU.
He told reporters that “nothing binds us forever” and suggested there were other parties with which the ANC could work in Parliament.
Responding to Mbalula’s utterances, Sarupen said: “The reality is that the DA is not in the GNU to go along to get along, and we will vigorously defend the rule of law and the equal application of the law.
“At present, we are completely focused on winning in towns and cities, and removing the ANC because they have destroyed those municipalities.”
Sarupen said the DA remains the only party to contest every ward in every municipality, and we look forward to the election on the 4th of November, where we will emerge as the largest party in many more municipalities than ever before.
“The DA is fighting to stop the chaos, and start service delivery in towns and cities destroyed at the hands of the ANC,” Sarupen said.
Meanwhile, ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said Mabalula, who collapsed during his media briefing outside the court, was receiving treatment and was expected to recover.
Mbalula, who was visibly distressed and sweating, told reporters he was not feeling well before collapsing.
He was assited by aides to leave the premises.
