Dlamini-Zuma accuses Mbalula of openly buying ANC votes

Johannesburg – Former African National Congress (ANC) presidential hopeful Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has accused party secretary-general Fikile Mbalula of openly distributing money at a clinic during the ANC’s 2022 national conference in Nasrec to secure votes, both for himself and for the election of the party’s president.

Dlamini-Zuma made the remarks during a wide-ranging interview with EFF leader Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, where she also revisited her 2017 leadership bid against Cyril Ramaphosa, which she lost.

“Mbalula was dishing money in the clinic in 2022 to be elected as secretary-general, and for the president to be elected,” she said.

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When asked whether the money distribution was done discreetly, she was direct.

“Openly, yeah. It wasn’t like a secret. Openly to be elected as the SG, to be elected and for the president to be elected.”

She also recalled money being found in a room on the first morning of the 2022 conference.

“You remember there was money that was found in somebody’s room, half a billion. On the morning of the first morning of the conference.”

On her 2017 loss, Dlamini-Zuma said she had expected to win but suggested money may have played a role. She also referenced a voice note attributed to Minister Ronald Lamola from that period in which a voice is heard saying those present were waiting for money because a matter relating to the NTSA was going to cause disruption if funds did not arrive.

“We all know. We also saw it at least in 2022. If you ask anyone who worked at the clinic at the time, they’ll tell you. Even the media reported it, so it’s not some secret I’m revealing.”

Lamola has since responded with an open letter addressed directly to Dlamini-Zuma, categorically denying the allegations.

“I categorically deny any involvement in vote-buying, whether through phone calls, voice notes, or any other medium, during that conference or at any other time,” he wrote.

Lamola also disputed that the voice in the recording belonged to him.

“My voice and manner of speech are well known to many comrades, and any fair-minded person can clearly discern that the voice in question is not mine.”

He called on Dlamini-Zuma to retract the statement, warning that while he preferred internal party mechanisms over legal action, he would not rule out pursuing the matter through the courts.

“I am approaching you in a comradely manner to retract the statement, as it would pain me to take legal action against an ANC veteran with distinguished struggle credentials,” he wrote, adding that he had attached the audio in question to his letter for her review.