LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026: Extortion claims, cop probe fail to stop ANC Joburg candidate’s clearance to run

{JSON.stringify(article.attachments[0], null, 2)} --> Sithembiso Zungu, the Joburg MMC implicated in three alleged extortion cases and facing a criminal assault investigation, has secured ANC renomination despite an Integrity Commission referral.

Senior ANC Johannesburg leader Sithembiso Zungu , the City’s MMC for Group Corporate Services, who has been implicated in three on-site extortion cases and who is facing a criminal assault police inquiry for battles with constituents, has won re-nomination in Vlakfontein and surrounding areas – Ward 122.

The ANC’s Integrity Commission referred him to the party’s powerful disciplinary committee in May 2026, but he still made the grade for candidate nomination to the IEC last week.

A candidate who stood but lost, Sebenzile Mkhonto, objected to his nomination to both the party and the IEC, which will finalise the candidates’ list for publication by 16 September.

“I’m probably one of the best councillors the ANC currently has. You should know by now that you are working with my haters,” Zungu told Daily Maverick, having repeatedly denied the allegations.

He provided Daily Maverick with videos which show supporters welcoming his nomination. Zungu won the branch nomination with a substantial majority on 27 June 2026 in a field of six candidates. Independent election monitoring agencies oversee ANC branch nominations for councillor candidate positions.

Zungu’s position in the City is powerful, as he has influence over the boards of the 13 entities that provide services to Johannesburg and through which all major contracts are routed.

Zungu showed Daily Maverick his criminal clearance while IEC spokesperson Moya said that even if charged and found guilty with the option of a fine, candidates can still stand.

Mkhonto said party procedures were ignored as an objection was lodged against Zungu within the prescribed 48 hours, but nothing came of it. The ANC Integrity Commission report against Zungu has not been made public, but the fact of it is serious and could result in his expulsion for bringing the party into disrepute once it is heard by the disciplinary committee, according to ANC rules.

Zungu did not answer a Daily Maverick query on what had happened to that process.

“The ANC permitted him to participate, notwithstanding the fact that his matter had been dealt with by the Integrity Commission and that, as confirmed publicly by the secretary-general (Fikile Mbalula), been considered by the NEC (National Executive Committee) and referred to the appropriate disciplinary process,” wrote Mkhonto.

In May, this report confirmed that Zungu was facing a police criminal assault investigation after several assault charges were laid against him by activists in the area, related to water and other local issues.

Zungu rose to prominence and into politics in the area as a chairperson of the Vlakfontein Business Forum.