ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula says former minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma must either apologise for alleging he bought votes during the ANC’s 2022 elective conference or defend her claims in court.
Mbalula was speaking on the sidelines of the ANC’s Special National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Boksburg, where he confirmed he has instructed his lawyers to demand that Dlamini-Zuma retract or clarify the allegations.
He insisted the claims have damaged his reputation and challenged the veteran ANC leader to produce evidence to support her accusations.
“It can’t be resolved either way other than through the courts. No individual has the right, under the South African Constitution, to tarnish another person’s name. If you make such allegations, you must prove them,” Mbalula said.
He stressed that the matter is about protecting his reputation rather than targeting Dlamini-Zuma personally.
“I’ve written to her, advised by my lawyers that she must clarify those issues. Failure to do so will mean we go to court. It’s not a threat. That’s what I’m going to do,” he said.
Mbalula said he has consistently pursued legal action against individuals he believes have made defamatory statements against him, citing previous disputes involving media personality Somizi Mhlongo and controversial commentator Musa Khawula, among others.
“I didn’t buy votes. I’m the Secretary-General. I didn’t arrive here because I gave somebody money. It’s not for me to explain myself when a statement that causes reputational damage has already been made,” he said.
The dispute follows comments made by Dlamini-Zuma during a podcast interview with former EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, in which she alleged that vote-buying influenced the ANC’s 2022 elective conference.
Allegations of vote-buying have shadowed several ANC leadership contests over the years, including claims linked to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s CR17 campaign, which became the subject of legal challenges.