A voice note, a retraction and an ANC money storm: Lamola speaks out

Lamola

Pretoria – International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has welcomed former Cabinet minister and ANC veteran Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s withdrawal of claims linking him to a disputed voice note allegedly connected to vote-buying during the ANC’s 2017 national conference.

Dlamini-Zuma made the allegation earlier this month while appearing on the African Renaissance Podcast, hosted by former EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. She claimed the voice note suggested Lamola was involved in paying delegates to influence the outcome of the conference.

“You remember there was a voice [note] from Lamola saying they are waiting for the money because this NDZ thing [Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma campaign] is going to be disturbed if the money doesn’t come,” she alleged.

Lamola denied the allegation and demanded that Dlamini-Zuma retract it.

“Let me be unequivocal: 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 said at the time.

He further disputed claims that an audio recording circulating in connection with the allegations featured his voice.

“Furthermore, 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.”

Lamola urged Dlamini-Zuma to withdraw the allegations and apologise publicly.

He has now welcomed her withdrawal, saying it confirms his position that the voice note was not his.

“I welcome Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s withdrawal of her attribution of a voice note to me in relation to the ANC’s internal electoral processes. Her statement vindicates what I have maintained from the outset: the voice note is not mine, and I was not involved in the conduct falsely attributed to me,” Lamola said.

He added that concerns about money influencing political processes remained legitimate but should be based on facts.

“The influence of money in politics is a legitimate and important matter for public discussion. That discussion must, however, proceed on accurate facts and without falsely implicating individuals,” he said.

The dispute has also implicated ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, whom Dlamini-Zuma accused of distributing money during the party’s 2022 conference.

“Mbalula was dishing [out] money in the clinic… openly. It wasn’t like a secret,” she alleged.

Asked whether the money was intended to secure votes, she responded: “To be elected and for the president to be elected.”

Dlamini-Zuma has not withdrawn her claims about Mbalula, who has reportedly initiated legal proceedings and demanded that she either retract or substantiate the allegations.

The dispute comes as the ANC prepares for South Africa’s local government elections on 4 November 2026, with Mbalula warning that “there is no political solution” to the reputational damage caused by the allegations.

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