High court rules against ANC with costs

GEORGE NEWS - The Western Cape High Court has ruled against the ANC in a case involving political campaign material, ordering the party to pay the George Municipality’s legal costs.

The George Municipality, Mayor Browen Johnson and the DA were respondents in the case.

The case arose after some photographs featuring ANC councillors at a municipal housing handover were used by the DA in its campaign material, prompting the ANC to seek an urgent interdict. The ANC claimed these images used on the posters implied their councillors supported another party.

Initially, the municipality did not defend the application, resulting in a default judgment.

The municipality’s spokesperson, Chantèl Edwards, confirmed earlier this week: “As per court order granted on 22 January, the interim interdict against the executive mayor and George Municipality has been dismissed with costs, including the wasted costs on 3 February 2026 on party and party scale C.”

This means the court also ordered the ANC to pay the costs that were incurred unnecessarily, and at a more expensive rate than the basic minimum.

Johnson welcomed the outcome. “I welcome the dismissal of this case with costs. In the George Municipality, we remain committed to delivering quality services to our residents. Now that this matter has been resolved, we can fully focus on continuing that important work.”

Despite numerous requests for details, George Herald was unable to establish whether the DA is also off the hook - along with the municipality and the mayor. The publication is also awaiting details as to why the court had ruled against the ANC.

Neither the ANC nor the DA could provide the exact judgment, and neither party had officially responded to a request for comment by the time of going to press.

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