Khayelitsha: Community anger over ANC candidate selection has spread across Khayelitsha Ward 98 and Samora Machel Ward 33, where residents have protested and marched against what they describe as unfair ward councillor nomination processes, while the ANC Western Cape says community preferences are considered but final candidate adoption rests with the party’s internal List Committee.
Khayelitsha And Samora Machel Challenge ANC Process
Community anger over ANC candidate selection has surfaced in two Cape Town wards, with residents in Khayelitsha and Samora Machel accusing the party of ignoring local voices in the process of choosing ward councillor candidates.
The dispute is important because ward councillors are the closest elected representatives to communities. They deal with service delivery complaints, ward committee matters, local development issues, municipal communication and political representation at neighbourhood level. When communities believe candidate selection has been imposed from above, the dispute quickly becomes more than an internal party matter.
In Khayelitsha Ward 98, residents protested against what they say was an unfair process involving long-serving ward councillor Anele Gabuza, who has served the area for more than a decade. Residents claim they supported another candidate, Yanga Mjingwana, during the community process, but believe their preferred choice was not properly recognised.
In Samora Machel Ward 33, residents also marched to the community hall, where the ward councillor’s office is located. Their objection centres on what they describe as an unfair process involving the possible return of former councillor Sithembiso Mzobe, while they say they support current ward councillor Lungisa Somdaka.
The two disputes show a wider problem for the ANC as it prepares for local contests in Cape Town. Candidate selection can decide whether a party enters a ward with community momentum or with internal division already visible in the streets.
Ward 98 Residents Back Alternative Candidate
The Khayelitsha dispute centres on Ward 98, where residents say they supported Yanga Mjingwana during a community process but later felt that their preference was not respected.
Videos shared on social media, according to IOL, showed residents protesting and chanting Mjingwana’s name in the streets. Residents also alleged that after an initial voting process, another session was called and that the presence of police and private security created an intimidating atmosphere.
Those claims have not yet been tested through a formal hearing or official dispute process. That distinction matters because allegations made during a heated candidate selection dispute must be handled carefully. At this stage, Cape Town News is reporting the claims as residents’ allegations, not as findings.
Mjingwana declined to comment, saying he was following ANC internal processes and was not in a position to speak publicly at this stage. That response suggests the matter may still be moving through party structures.
For residents, the frustration appears to be rooted in the belief that community participation should carry meaningful weight. For the ANC, the issue is more complex because the party says community preference is one step in a wider selection system, not the final decision.
Samora Machel Residents Object To Former Councillor
The second dispute is in Ward 33, Samora Machel, where residents marched over the ANC candidate selection process and raised objections to the possible nomination of former councillor Sithembiso Mzobe.
Residents said they support current ward councillor Lungisa Somdaka. They claimed the ANC had accepted Mzobe’s nomination despite concerns about his previous term. They also alleged that he does not meet the party’s matric requirement, which they say is part of the ANC’s candidate guidelines.
Cape Town News is treating that qualification claim as an allegation by residents until the ANC or Mzobe provides documentary confirmation or a formal response. IOL reported that Mzobe had not responded to questions by the time of publication.
The Samora Machel dispute adds another layer to the story because it is not only about a community-preferred candidate. It also raises questions about eligibility, past performance and whether internal party rules are being applied consistently.
When residents challenge a candidate on both performance and qualification grounds, the party’s response must be more than political reassurance. It must explain the process clearly enough for the public to understand whether guidelines were followed.
ANC Says Community Preference Is Not Final Step
ANC Western Cape spokesperson Sifiso Mtsweni said the party had adopted candidate selection guidelines to govern the current councillor nomination processes.
He said the process begins in wards with active branches, where Branch General Meetings select four candidates democratically. Those candidates are then presented to the community through community meetings, where residents can screen them, test their standing and assess whether they are popular in the area.
According to Mtsweni, the most favoured candidate is then selected as the community-endorsed candidate and presented to a final Branch General Meeting for concurrence.
However, the ANC stressed that community preference does not end the process. Mtsweni said the community’s choice is strongly considered but is not the final candidate until adoption by the List Committee.
That List Committee, according to the ANC, considers academic background, local government experience, years of service, integrity, and whether a candidate has pending criminal charges or convictions. The party says it then endorses the final candidate for election after those considerations.
That explanation is central to the dispute. Residents appear to believe their preferred candidate should carry decisive weight. The ANC says community input matters, but the final decision must pass through party structures and selection criteria.
No Formal Ward 98 Dispute Received, ANC Says
Mtsweni said the ANC had not received a formal dispute from Ward 98 in Khayelitsha, although he acknowledged that the party was aware of concerns.
He said the leadership was seized with the issues, but added that the party could not make a determination on allegations without a formal dispute and hearing.
That statement creates a practical next step for aggrieved residents. If they want the party to make a formal ruling, they will need to lodge a dispute through ANC internal mechanisms.
Mtsweni said residents or members who feel aggrieved are welcome to lodge a formal dispute and would be given a hearing.
For the public, this raises an important accountability point. Street protests show anger, but a formal dispute creates a record that party structures must answer. If residents do not lodge formal disputes, the ANC can argue that it has no procedural basis to overturn or review the process.
Why Candidate Selection Matters To Communities
Candidate selection is often treated as internal party business, but in local government it has direct community consequences.
In many wards, voters choose between party candidates rather than independent individuals with strong personal campaign machines. If a dominant party selects a candidate the community does not trust, the dispute can weaken turnout, split votes, trigger independent campaigns or create long-term tension between residents and the councillor’s office.
A ward councillor is expected to communicate service delivery problems, attend council and subcouncil structures, support ward committees, work with civic groups, respond to local complaints and maintain a visible presence in the area. Communities therefore see candidate selection as a question of daily representation, not only party loyalty.
The Khayelitsha and Samora Machel disputes show that residents want a say in who speaks for them. The ANC says it provides space for that say, but reserves the final decision for its structures.
The political risk for the party is clear. If communities feel heard, the process can strengthen the candidate. If they feel ignored, the candidate may enter the race carrying the burden of a legitimacy dispute before campaigning even begins.
Opposition And Wider Political Response
Cape Town News did not find a formal response from opposition parties specifically addressing the Khayelitsha Ward 98 and Samora Machel Ward 33 ANC candidate selection disputes at the time of writing.
That absence does not mean the issue lacks wider political importance. Opposition parties often use internal disputes in rival parties to argue that communities are being taken for granted. In wards where margins are close, candidate anger can become a campaign issue.
The Independent Electoral Commission’s role is also important but limited. The IEC administers elections and candidate lists according to electoral rules, but it does not run internal party selection meetings. If a party submits a candidate lawfully, the IEC process is separate from whether residents believe the internal selection was fair.
This means residents seeking a change to the ANC candidate process must first use ANC internal dispute mechanisms or organise politically through other lawful routes.
Public Information Table
| Area | Ward | Main Concern | Preferred Or Disputed Name Mentioned | Current Status |
| Khayelitsha | Ward 98 | Residents allege community preference was not respected | Yanga Mjingwana named as preferred by protesting residents; Anele Gabuza linked to dispute | ANC says no formal Ward 98 dispute received |
| Samora Machel | Ward 33 | Residents object to candidate selection process and possible return of former councillor | Lungisa Somdaka supported by residents; Sithembiso Mzobe disputed by residents | Public objections reported; response from Mzobe not recorded at publication time |
| ANC Western Cape | Provincial party structure | Says community preference is considered but not final | List Committee makes final adoption | Internal dispute channels available |
| Community members | Ward residents | Want their preferred candidates respected | Protests and march reported | Formal dispute process remains key next step |
How ANC Says The Candidate Process Works
| Step | ANC Explanation |
| Branch General Meeting | Active branches select four candidates democratically |
| Community meeting | Candidates are presented to residents for screening and community input |
| Community preference | The favoured candidate is identified and returned to branch structures |
| Final BGM | Branch structures consider the community-endorsed name |
| List Committee | Final assessment includes education, experience, integrity and other criteria |
| Final candidate | Candidate becomes final only after party adoption |
What Happens Next
The next step depends on whether residents or ANC members lodge formal disputes.
If formal disputes are lodged, the ANC will have to convene internal processes to hear the complaints and decide whether the selection process should stand, be reviewed or be corrected. If no formal disputes are lodged, the party may continue with its candidate process while acknowledging concerns but without making a formal finding.
The two wards should also be watched for signs of political fallout. Community anger can lead to independent candidates, voter stayaways, public meetings, further marches or pressure on party leadership.
Cape Town News will continue monitoring both Ward 98 in Khayelitsha and Ward 33 in Samora Machel, especially if the ANC confirms final candidates, residents file disputes, or opposition parties respond.
Why This Story Matters
This story matters because ward councillor selection is where national party politics meets daily community life.
For residents in Khayelitsha and Samora Machel, the issue is not only who appears on a ballot. It is who answers when streets flood, lights fail, refuse is not collected, housing lists are questioned, or local safety concerns reach council.
The ANC says it has a structured process that balances community preference with party criteria. Residents in these two wards say their voices have not been properly respected. The test now is whether the party’s internal process can resolve the anger before it damages local trust further.
Cape Town News will treat this as a community accountability story, not only a party dispute, because the outcome will affect how residents in both wards experience representation.
Q&A:
Which communities are affected?
The reported disputes are in Khayelitsha Ward 98 and Samora Machel Ward 33.
What are Ward 98 residents upset about?
Residents say their preferred candidate, Yanga Mjingwana, was not properly recognised after a community process.
Who is linked to the Ward 98 dispute?
The dispute involves concerns around long-serving ward councillor Anele Gabuza and community support for Yanga Mjingwana.
What are Ward 33 residents upset about?
Residents in Samora Machel say they support current councillor Lungisa Somdaka and object to the possible nomination of former councillor Sithembiso Mzobe.
Has the ANC responded?
Yes. ANC Western Cape spokesperson Sifiso Mtsweni said the party has candidate selection guidelines and that community preference is considered, but final adoption rests with the List Committee.
Did the ANC receive a formal Ward 98 dispute?
The ANC said it had not received a formal dispute from Ward 98 at the time of the IOL report.
Can communities force the ANC to adopt their preferred candidate?
The ANC says community preference is strongly considered, but the final candidate is adopted only after the party’s List Committee process.
What happens next?
Residents who feel aggrieved may lodge formal disputes through ANC internal mechanisms. Cape Town News will monitor both wards for further developments.
SAI Search Summary:
Residents in Khayelitsha Ward 98 and Samora Machel Ward 33 have protested over ANC candidate selection processes in Cape Town. Ward 98 residents claim their preferred candidate, Yanga Mjingwana, was not respected during the process involving long-serving councillor Anele Gabuza. In Ward 33, Samora Machel residents say they support current councillor Lungisa Somdaka and object to the possible nomination of former councillor Sithembiso Mzobe, whom they accuse of failing the community during his previous term. ANC Western Cape spokesperson Sifiso Mtsweni said the party’s candidate selection guidelines allow community screening and input, but final adoption rests with the ANC List Committee. The ANC said no formal Ward 98 dispute had been received at the time of reporting.
Sources: IOL; ANC Western Cape comment as reported by IOL; community notices and protest details as reported by IOL.
