ANC Minister Deletes Post Urging Vote for Party

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni removed her X appeal after it drew widespread criticism from social media users and public figures.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Civic Engagement

ANC Minister Deletes Post Urging Vote for Party

Live Poll

Do you trust the governing party to keep its promises to voters?

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, an ANC National Executive Committee member, deleted an X post appealing to South Africans to vote for the ANC. The post, published on a Friday evening, had attracted more than 375,000 views and close to 1,000 quoted responses before its removal.

Why it matters

The deleted appeal drew criticism from former DA MPL Mbali Ntuli, Jaco Kleynhans, Karabo Mahapa and Princess Mthombeni, who used the responses to question the party's record. The episode highlights how political messaging from senior party figures is scrutinised by South African voters on social media.

The post reached more than 375,000 views and drew close to 1,000 quoted responses before it was taken down. Ntshavheni has not publicly explained why she removed the post.

The players

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni

Ntshavheni is an ANC National Executive Committee member who previously served as municipal manager of Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality.

Mbali Ntuli

Ntuli is a former DA member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature who publicly criticised the ANC in response to the post.

Princess Mthombeni

Mthombeni is a nuclear energy advocate and constitutional reform activist with South Africans for Constitutional Reform who cited water shortages in her criticism.

The details

Ntshavheni published the appeal on a Friday evening, urging voters to back the ANC on X. Critics responded in large numbers, with Mthombeni citing water shortages and the alleged growth of criminal mafias in her criticism of the party. Ntshavheni previously served as municipal manager of Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality, which is linked to an ongoing corruption investigation.

Friday evening: Ntshavheni publishes the X post appealing to voters to back the ANC.
30 October 2026: The core event date recorded for the post and its deletion.
3 November 2026: Article published reporting the deletion of the post.

Political Context

Critics pointed to unfulfilled ANC promises in Limpopo and the Eastern Cape, forming the backdrop to the reaction against the appeal. Opposition figures used the post to press these service delivery concerns directly with voters.

The episode shows that official party messaging posted online can be challenged and removed within hours, which affects how voters judge candidates' public statements. Voters weighing their choices may want to compare party claims against records on water supply and local governance.

The takeaway

Public statements by senior officials can be reviewed quickly by voters, so checking a party's record on services in your own area is a practical way to assess campaign appeals.