- Fikile Mbalula collapsed during a media briefing at the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg on 15 October 2026
- The ANC Secretary-General had just addressed reporters following the party's legal victory over the IEC regarding candidate lists
- Gareth Cliff reacted to the viral eNCA footage, and social media users were quick to weigh in with sharp takes
Source: UGC
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula made headlines on Thursday, 15 October 2026, not only for the party's courtroom win but for what happened moments later. During a media briefing outside the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg, Mbalula collapsed in front of cameras while being questioned by reporters.
The dramatic incident unfolded on live eNCA television shortly after the ANC secured a significant legal victory against the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). The court ruled in the party's favour, allowing 181 of its candidates to be included on the ballot for the upcoming 4 November local government elections.
In the live footage captured by eNCA, Mbalula was fielding questions from journalists, including one about social media claims that the ANC was allegedly mobilising asylum seekers to vote. Mid-response, he uttered:
"I'm not feeling..." before the briefing abruptly cut off.
On-screen graphics timestamped the moment at 10:31 and confirmed the location as Johannesburg.
Radio and media personality Gareth Cliff reacted to the clip on social media with a simple "👀👀👀," and the video quickly spread across X.
See the post below:
Mzansi reacts to Fikile Mbalula's collapse
Peeps were not short on opinions. The incident sparked a wave of sharp commentary, with many questioning the timing of Mbalula's sudden ill turn.
@marcel__za wrote:
"Fikile Mbalula's first encounter with actual work almost required a state funeral."
@Dystopia20307 said:
"He should remain in front of the mic and on the soapbox rather...doing real hard work will kill him; it's no joke in reality when all they know is luxury venues, expensive liquor and hotels galore. Real work is a no-no for the ANC..."
@KevinHamann8 quipped:
"First he said he wants to collapse South Africa's economy by ejecting @Our_DA from the GNU, then he collapses himself seconds later."
@Franscois15127 suggested:
"Difficult questions need responsible answers, something the ANC cannot give. Then the pretending of not feeling good suddenly kicks in. Or maybe He's working on his medical parole."
@Craig917 noted:
"Short illness, he's back up and tweeting like a canary."
@joanstewart1 kept it brief:
"Showmanship 100%"
Jackie Phamotse questions Fikile Mbalula's collapse
Gareth Cliff isn't the only prominent South African who reacted to Fikile Mbalula's collapse.
Briefly News reported that Jackie Phamotse questioned the incident on X.
Her cryptic post suggested there is more to the story than what is being shared publicly.
Source: Briefly News
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