The African National Congress (ANC) moves to centralise its selection of mayoral candidates ahead of the 2026 local government elections. The decision is announced by ANC senior figure Fikile Mbalula, who says the party will assess prospective candidates based on criteria including competence, ethics and fitness for public office. The ANC’s approach indicates a shift toward a more uniform, party-controlled process rather than decisions being handled primarily at regional or local levels. The stated aim of the vetting criteria is to ensure candidates are suitable to lead municipalities and are aligned with the party’s expectations of ethical conduct. The announcement frames the process as a way to identify candidates who can effectively carry out mayoral responsibilities while meeting standards related to integrity. With the 2026 elections approaching, the ANC is setting out how it plans to evaluate and choose candidates for municipal leadership roles, outlining that the selection will be driven by centralised assessments of candidates’ qualifications and conduct.