Frank Chikane denies taking ANC to court over Johannesburg mayoral bid - IOL

Frank Chikane has rejected claims that he is taking the ANC to court over its Johannesburg mayoral candidacy, as the party battles ongoing problems with its election candidate lists.

ANC veteran Frank Chikane has dismissed as fake a report claiming he has taken the party to court over the ANC’s Johannesburg mayoral candidacy.

Chikane said he had no intention of taking the ANC to court over the matter and described the report as an attempt to create confusion within the party.

“I have noted a fake report circulating on social media alleging that I have taken court action against the African National Congress (ANC) and its Secretary-General over the party’s mayoral candidacy of the City of Johannesburg,” Chikane said.

“The report in circulation is fake from beginning to end!”

Chikane’s comments come as the ANC continues to deal with problems surrounding its candidate lists ahead of the November 4 local government elections.

He was among the ANC mayoral candidates affected by the party’s candidate-registration problems, with the ANC previously describing his omission from the submitted lists as an error.

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has said the matter would be resolved, while the party has been challenging the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) over candidates it says were captured but not formally submitted.

Chikane said he had no plans to pursue legal action over his mayoral candidacy.

“I also wish to make it categorically clear that I have no intention of taking the ANC to court over the mayoral candidacy matter,” he said.

“I joined the Struggle for liberation not to occupy positions of leadership, but to serve the people of South Africa to the best of my ability.”

The ANC has also rejected the report.

ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said the party had confirmed that Chikane had not instituted legal proceedings against it.

“The ANC categorically rejects as false and without factual foundation reports claiming that Rev. Dr Frank Chikane has instituted legal proceedings against the ANC. Rev. Chikane has not taken the ANC to court,” Bhengu said.

She described Chikane as a “longstanding, disciplined and respected member” of the ANC who understood the party’s internal processes.

“Attempts to manufacture a conflict between Rev Chikane and the ANC are, therefore, both reckless and misleading.”

Chikane said the report circulating on social media was more than simply false information, arguing that it was intended to create confusion within the ANC and damage the party’s standing among voters.

“While the report in question may appear to be ordinary fake social media output, discerning political activists and citizens will see it for the apartheid-era Stratcom operation that it is.” 

He said the report was intended to “sow confusion” within the ANC and create the impression that the party was divided.

“It is intended to sow confusion within the ranks of the ANC and, above all, undermine its image in the eyes of voters by creating the impression of a party permanently at war with itself and therefore undeserving of leading the City,” Chikane said.

The ANC continues to deal with the fallout from its candidate-registration problems, including candidates whose details were captured but not formally submitted to the IEC.

The party has launched a legal challenge over the affected candidates, arguing that those who were captured but not formally submitted should be allowed to contest the elections.