African National Congress (ANC) president Cyril Ramaphosa says he has ordered the party’s secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, to take time off work after he collapsed at the Constitutional Court earlier this week.
Mbalula became unwell while addressing journalists following the court’s ruling in favour of the ANC in its dispute with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) over the late submission of 181 candidates in six municipalities.
RAMAPHOSA GIVES FIKILE MBALULA TIME OFF TO RECOVER
Speaking to journalists on the side lines of his campaign trail in Athlone, Cape Town, Ramaphosa said Mbalula was recovering after experiencing health difficulties amid a stressful period for the party.
“The secretary-general [Fikile Mbalula] is getting better, he was under a lot of stress, I must say. He was carrying a heavy burden and as any secretary-general would and if I was secretary-general I probably would have had a similar challenge and maybe even worse since I am older.
“We must be grateful that he led the ANC with great distinction through this whole challenge. He had a little bit of a health situation but he is recovering. He’s going to be back at work. I’ve ordered him to rest and told him he is not coming back to work until I and the doctors are satisfied that he is fully okay,” Ramaphosa said.
ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa says Fikile Mbalula led his party with “distinction” during its list fiasco with the IEC.
— Times LIVE (@TimesLIVE) October 17, 2026
He says he has ordered Mbalula to take time off work to rest following his collapse this week. Ramaphosa was speaking to journalists in Cape Town during his… pic.twitter.com/InpSXt3huC
MBALULA COLLAPSES AFTER ANC’S COURT VICTORY
The South African previously reported that the Constitutional Court handed down its ruling on Thursday, 15 October, setting aside the IEC’s decision to reject the ANC’s candidate lists after the party failed to complete the final submission process before the deadline.
The ANC had argued that uploading its nominated candidates’ details and paying the required election deposits demonstrated its intention to contest the elections, despite failing to click the “Submit as Final” button on the IEC’s online system.
The court ordered the IEC to take the necessary steps to include the affected candidates in the 4 November 2026 local government elections across six municipalities.
Following the ruling, an emotional Fikile Mbalula addressed journalists, thanking party leaders and officials for their support throughout the legal proceedings.
“Let me begin with thanks because this was never the work of one office, I thank the President of the ANC for his leadership through a hard month and for insisting that at every turn this movement takes the lawful route and no other. I thank the national officials of the movement who carried this matter with patience, which was not easy,” he said.
Mbalula became visibly emotional and appeared to struggle to continue answering questions before being assisted out of the courtroom.
“I’m not feeling well,” he said.
[WATCH] Fikile Mbalula is overwhelmed with emotion, almost collapsing during a media briefing after the Constitutional Court ruled in favour of the ANC. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/g9PgU9jSB1
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) October 15, 2026