The African National Congress (ANC) said its delegation led by deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane was unable to observe any aspect of the Tanzanian elections.

The party confirmed on Friday that a delegation led by Mokonyane undertook a visit to Tanzania at the invitation of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.

ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said in a statement that the purpose of the visit had been to observe the electoral process, under established practices of political exchange and solidarity.

She said a “breakdown in communication” occurred between the party’s delegation led by Mokonyane and the CCM party.

On Wednesday, Tanzania held its elections to elect the President, members of the National Assembly and ward councillors.

Media reports said protests erupted on Wednesday over anger about the exclusion of President Samia Suluhu Hassan's two biggest opponents and what government critics describe as widespread repression.

Bhengu said the delegation did participate in the final pre-election rallies, underscoring its long-standing sisterly bonds.

“However, for reasons that are currently unknown, a breakdown in communication occurred,” she added.

Bhengu said Mokonyane arrived back in South Africa and will brief the office bearers on the matter.

“We place our confidence in the regional bodies that are mandated to observe the overall integrity of the process and look forward to the comprehensive assessments of the accredited international observer missions,” Bhengu said.

She said the ANC valued its relationship with Tanzanians and iwas committed to constructive collaboration across Africa, to advance the “decolonial aspirations of the liberation struggle”.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) had earlier this week described the Tanzanian elections as not free or fair as the State muzzled opposition leaders and controlled democratic processes.

The party said the elections were held against the backdrop of what it described as rapidly intensifying repression and the exclusion of opposition candidates.

The DA condemned what it called the unlawful imprisonment of Tanzania’s opposition leader Tundu Lissu of the Party for Democracy and Progress on trumped-up charges of treason by the Tanzanian government.