The African National Congress (ANC) has robustly defended its decision to include members
implicated in the State Capture report on its candidate nomination lists for the 2024
elections. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula affirmed that these members underwent
the party’s internal disciplinary processes and had no adverse findings made against them.

Addressing the media at the party’s Luthuli House headquarters in Johannesburg on
Monday, Mbalula outlined the election committee’s processes in selecting candidates eligible
for parliamentary and legislative positions. He revealed that the party’s National Executive
Committee (NEC) deliberated over 16 candidates mentioned in a report compiled by the
Integrity Commission.

Among those included are former Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba, Sports, Arts and
Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa, State Security Agency Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, and
Deputy Water and Sanitation Minister David Mahlobo. Mbalula stated, “In carrying out the
mandate given by the special extended NEC, the ANC electoral committee was asked to
provide a list of candidates appearing on the ANC candidate lists who appeared before the
ANC integrity commission, and in respect of whom the commission submitted reports; and
are named in the state capture commission report.”

He further clarified, “Of the persons named in the state capture commission report, only 20
are current or former NEC members and/or public representatives. Of these, only six appear
on the ANC 2024 candidate lists.”

Mbalula emphasized that the NEC resolved to allow these candidates to stand, pending the
completion of their outstanding appeal, review, or disciplinary processes. “Should they be
elected, their positions as public representatives will be re-assessed based on the outcomes
of these processes,” he added.

According to the electoral committee’s investigations, ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa and
National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe also faced scrutiny but had no adverse findings
against them.