ANC Women’s League Rebukes Mantashe

JOHANNESBURG, 22 October 2026 — The African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) has intensified its criticism of ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe, accusing him of failing to show sensitivity towards allegations of sexual exploitation involving women seeking employment.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the league described Mantashe’s conduct as inappropriate for a senior political leader and repeated its demand for an unconditional public apology.

The latest confrontation follows remarks Mantashe made during an ANC election campaign visit to North West, where he was questioned about allegations that municipal councillors had demanded sexual favours from women in exchange for jobs.

Mantashe argued that such conduct, if committed by individual councillors, should not automatically be attributed to the ANC.

However, the language he used during the interview sparked criticism from the Women’s League, which accused him of trivialising an issue affecting vulnerable women.

The disagreement has since developed into a public dispute within the governing party.

ANC Women’s League Demands Unconditional Apology

The ANC Women’s League first called for Mantashe to apologise on Monday, 19 October.

It also urged the ANC leadership to consider internal disciplinary action.

On Thursday, the organisation issued another statement after Mantashe questioned what he was expected to apologise for.

The league said his response demonstrated a failure to appreciate the seriousness of the allegations raised during the interview.

It argued that Mantashe should have addressed the potential exploitation of women rather than focusing on the meaning of the language he used.

The Women’s League maintained that his conduct was inconsistent with the responsibilities of a senior ANC leader and government minister.

It also rejected the suggestion that the dispute could be resolved simply by debating isiXhosa terminology.

What Did Gwede Mantashe Say?

The controversy began when Newzroom Afrika journalist Zola Sholwana questioned Mantashe about allegations of sex-for-jobs practices involving municipal councillors.

The interaction took place during an ANC campaign visit to the North West.

Mantashe responded using an explicit isiXhosa term referring to female genitalia.

He argued that if an elected councillor sought sexual favours, the conduct should be regarded as an individual’s wrongdoing rather than an official ANC practice.

His response was widely circulated on social media.

The ANC Women’s League objected to both the wording and the way Mantashe addressed the allegations.

The underlying allegations against the councillor or councillors have not been established as facts in court.

No finding of wrongdoing against any particular councillor is established by the reported interview.

Mantashe Questions Why He Must Apologise

During an SABC interview on Wednesday, 21 October, Mantashe responded to the growing criticism.

He said the Women’s League had not approached him directly to explain why it wanted an apology.

Mantashe questioned whether the objection concerned his use of isiXhosa or another aspect of his comments.

He maintained that language experts he had consulted did not consider his terminology incorrect.

His response was widely characterised as a qualified or reluctant apology because he continued to dispute the basis of the criticism.

The Women’s League rejected that explanation.

For the organisation, the disagreement was not principally about whether the terminology was linguistically correct.

Instead, it argued that a senior political leader should respond to allegations of sexual exploitation with appropriate seriousness and concern for those affected.

League Says Remarks Undermine Women’s Dignity

ANCWL secretary-general Nokuthula Nqaba said Mantashe’s position as a senior ANC official carried responsibilities beyond those of an ordinary party member.

The league argued that public representatives should uphold the ANC’s stated commitments to equality, non-sexism and respect for human dignity.

It said the issue of sexual favours being demanded in exchange for employment should be treated as an abuse of authority.

According to the organisation, women experiencing financial hardship can be especially vulnerable when individuals in positions of power control access to employment opportunities.

The league also expressed concern that dismissive public language could discourage affected women from reporting exploitation.

Its latest statement called for Mantashe to accept responsibility for his comments and apologise to women and the wider public.

Sex-For-Jobs Allegations Raise Serious Concerns

The controversy has brought renewed attention to allegations of sexual exploitation in recruitment and employment.

Sex-for-jobs practices involve situations in which someone with influence over employment opportunities demands sexual access in exchange for a job, promotion or other workplace benefit.

Such conduct can raise issues under employment, harassment and criminal laws, depending on the circumstances.

Where public officials are involved, allegations may also require investigation into potential corruption or abuse of office.

The distinction between consensual relationships and coercion is particularly important when one person controls another’s employment prospects.

The Women’s League argues that political organisations have a responsibility to take allegations involving their public representatives seriously.

Mantashe’s position, by contrast, has been that misconduct by an individual councillor should not automatically be treated as misconduct by the entire party.

The disagreement concerns both institutional accountability and the manner in which allegations are publicly addressed.

Sonke Gender Justice Calls For ANC Action

The controversy has extended beyond the ANC Women’s League.

Sonke Gender Justice, a South African civil society organisation working to prevent gender-based violence and promote gender equality, has also called for action against Mantashe.

In a statement reported on Thursday, the organisation demanded an unconditional public apology and disciplinary proceedings.

It also urged the ANC to investigate the underlying allegations involving municipal councillors.

Sonke argued that demanding sexual favours in exchange for employment could amount to an abuse of power and, depending on the evidence, potentially involve corruption.

The organisation wants relevant allegations referred to law enforcement where evidence of criminal conduct exists.

It has additionally called for gender-sensitivity training for ANC officials and representatives ahead of the November local government elections.

These are demands made by the organisation; they are not confirmed disciplinary decisions by the ANC.

Ramaphosa Says ANC Is Discussing Mantashe’s Conduct

President Cyril Ramaphosa has also been questioned about Mantashe’s recent conduct.

Speaking during an engagement with editors earlier this week, Ramaphosa indicated that concerns involving the ANC national chairperson were being discussed within party structures.

He declined to publicly discuss the details of an individual party official’s conduct.

His comments suggest that the matter has reached the ANC’s senior leadership.

However, there has been no confirmed announcement that a formal disciplinary hearing has been instituted against Mantashe over the sex-for-jobs remarks.

The party’s eventual response remains to be seen.

Pressure Builds Ahead Of Local Government Elections

The dispute comes as the ANC campaigns for South Africa’s local government elections scheduled for 4 November 2026.

Political parties are seeking voter support amid public concerns about unemployment, municipal performance and accountability.

The controversy involving Mantashe has brought questions about gender equality and leadership conduct into the campaign period.

For the ANC Women’s League, the issue concerns whether the party’s stated commitment to women’s rights is reflected in how senior officials respond to allegations of exploitation.

For Mantashe, the disagreement includes whether the party should be held responsible for alleged misconduct by individual councillors.

How the ANC handles the dispute may remain a subject of internal debate as campaigning continues.

What Happens Next?

The ANC Women’s League has maintained its demand for an unconditional apology.

It has also called for disciplinary action and for the party leadership to reprimand Mantashe.

Sonke Gender Justice has supported calls for accountability and an investigation into the underlying allegations.

Mantashe has continued to question the grounds for an apology, while defending his interpretation of the remarks.

The ANC has not publicly confirmed a final disciplinary outcome.

The immediate questions are whether Mantashe will issue a further apology, whether the ANC will initiate formal proceedings, and whether the allegations involving municipal councillors will be independently investigated.

The dispute has placed the ANC’s approach to sexual exploitation allegations, internal accountability and respect for women under renewed public scrutiny.