Fikile Mbalula Shielded From ANC Step-Aside Rule by Senior Leaders, South Africans Debate Decision

• Senior African National Congress members have rallied behind Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula after criminal charges were laid against him
• According to the party's own rules, members formally charged with serious crimes must voluntarily vacate their party and government positions
• South Africans weighed in on the ANC's reported stance on Mbalula, sharing mixed reactions to how the party decides when to enforce the rules

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.

GAUTENG — Senior African National Congress (ANC) leaders have pushed back against calls to place party Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula on step-aside, despite him facing criminal charges.

According to the Mail & Guardian, sources within the party argued that the crimen injuria charge he faces is politically motivated and driven by civil rights organisation AfriForum. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed in September 2026 that it would prosecute Mbalula in the Johannesburg Regional Court.

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The charge relates to comments he made at a press briefing on 1 April 2025, during which he referred to Jaco Pieterse, the former principal of Bergview College in Matatiele, Eastern Cape, as an "animal." He also accused AfriForum of "shielding suspects rather than standing for justice."

ANC leaders resist step-aside pressure

The ANC's step-aside rule, adopted at the party's 54th National Conference at Nasrec in 2017, requires members formally charged with serious crimes to voluntarily vacate their party and government positions, or face suspension.

Despite this, a senior ANC leader told the Mail & Guardian that, even given his personal differences with Mbalula, he would not advocate for the Secretary-General to step aside over a case pursued by AfriForum. The source noted that the organisation had previously led charges against ANC figures, citing the case of Vuyo Mhlakaza-Manamela as a precedent.

EFF leader Julius Malema faces a separate but related crimen injuria charge over remarks he made about Pieterse in connection with the same matter.

How did South Africans react?

South Africans responding to the Mail and Guardian's post on X were divided.

@Mao_Azania questioned what standard the ANC was applying:

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"What is the barometer that the ANC used to determine that the AfriForum case against Fikile Mbalula is politically motivated, and which barometer it used against the others who were told to step aside?"

@Indepentdepend1 was more pointed:

"He was pushing for Ace to step aside; now he cries like a baby."

@mothethomafere1 argued that the rule should apply uniformly:

"The Step-aside rule is not supposed to have eyes. It is a principle, and this principle must be respected and enforced irrespective of who has been charged or not."

@ChimCham7 sided with Mbalula:

"Mbalula must not step aside over the frivolous and vindictive charges by the ugly European clowns."

@MLANDO60870174 added:

"A case is a case; as to whom the complaint is, it doesn't matter; he will be attending a criminal case once and for all. If the ANC can allow such nonsense, I will believe some are better than others."

Other stories about the ANC's step-aside rule

• Zizi Kodwa stepped aside from his ANC National Executive Committee and National Working Committee roles.
• Pule Mabe explained why the step-aside rule does not apply to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
• Mbalula said that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu would not step aside, leaving South Africans in disbelief.

Source: Briefly News