Frank Chikane Says ‘Organised Campaign’ Is Trying To Discredit Him Ahead Of Elections
ANC veteran Frank Chikane says false claims that he intends taking the party to court over his exclusion from its candidate lists form part of an organised campaign to discredit him ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
African National Congress veteran Frank Chikane says an organised campaign is attempting to discredit him ahead of the local government elections after claims emerged that he planned to take the party to court over his exclusion from its candidate lists.
Chikane has rejected the claims, insisting he has no intention of pursuing legal action against the ANC over the controversy.
His name was omitted from councillor candidate lists submitted to the Electoral Commission of South Africa despite him being one of three candidates shortlisted by the ANC for its Johannesburg mayoral candidacy.
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ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has previously acknowledged that Chikane's omission was the result of an “error”.
The development has raised questions about whether Chikane can remain in contention to become the party's mayoral candidate for Johannesburg.
Chikane Says Claims Of Court Action Are False
Chikane said reports suggesting that he intended taking the ANC to court over his omission were false.
“There is a group out there that is generating this information, and I know they’ve stopped because we will be able to track it down. It’s definitely an organised campaign to discredit me,” Chikane said.
The ANC has separately rejected reports that Chikane instituted legal proceedings against the party, describing suggestions of a conflict between the veteran and the organisation as unfounded.
Chikane has also maintained that his political career has not been driven by a pursuit of positions.
In a separate statement addressing the controversy, he said he had joined the liberation struggle to serve South Africans rather than to occupy leadership positions.
Omission Complicates Johannesburg Mayoral Race
Chikane was formally announced in August as one of three finalists being considered by the ANC for Johannesburg's mayoral candidacy.
The other candidates are incumbent Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero and ANC Johannesburg regional chair and deputy mayor Loyiso Masuku.
Chikane's absence from the councillor candidate lists, however, has complicated his path to the mayoral position.
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His omission forms part of a broader candidate-list controversy confronting the ANC ahead of the elections.
Other senior ANC figures have also been affected by candidate-list disputes, including Andile Lungisa, who has launched legal action over his exclusion from the party's candidate list in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Unlike Lungisa, Chikane has explicitly rejected suggestions that he intends going to court.
IEC Candidate Lists Expected To Bring Greater Clarity
Attention is now turning to the Electoral Commission's publication of candidate lists, which is expected to provide greater clarity about which ANC candidates will be able to contest the elections.
For Chikane, the outcome carries particular significance because his omission could affect whether he remains a viable candidate in the ANC's Johannesburg mayoral contest.
The controversy also comes as political parties intensify their campaigns ahead of South Africa's local government elections.
The elections are scheduled for 4 November 2026.
