‘I did not distribute money’: Mbalula hits back at Dlamini-Zuma’s claims, lawyers brought in

ANC

Cape Town – ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has strongly denied allegations by former cabinet minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma that he used money to influence the outcome of the ANC’s national conferences, saying he has instructed his attorneys to seek clarity over what he describes as “very damaging and painful allegations.”

Dlamini-Zuma alleged during an appearance on the African Renaissance Podcast that money was used to sway delegates at the ANC’s 54th and 55th national conferences, including the party’s 2022 elective conference at Nasrec.

“Money played a big role in the ANC. Remember there was money that was found in somebody’s room – half a billion – on the first day of the conference. And also Mbalula was dishing money in the clinic. So money played a role in the ANC,” she said.

Dlamini-Zuma further alleged that the money was used to support Mbalula’s bid for secretary-general and President Cyril Ramaphosa’s re-election as ANC president.

“It was not a secret. Mbalula was dishing out money to be elected as the Secretary General and for the President to be elected.”

Responding in a statement, Mbalula said he viewed the allegations with “deep regret and with real disappointment.”

“I have noted, with deep regret and with real disappointment, the remarks made by Cde Dr Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma… Her remarks have created a wound so deeply, and it is for that reason that I cannot allow them to stand unanswered,” he said.

Mbalula categorically denied ever paying delegates or attempting to influence any ANC election.

“I, Fikile Mbalula, deny these allegations in their entirety. I did not distribute money to delegates, at the facility referred to as the clinic or anywhere else, to procure my own election or the election of any other comrade,” he said.

He added that he had never engaged in vote-buying at “the 55th National Conference, the 54th National Conference, or at any conference, council gathering of the African National Congress.”

Mbalula further rejected claims that the ANC’s leadership was elected through financial inducements.

“Nothing of the sort was done by myself. I reject the allegation and reject the proposition that the leadership of this Movement was procured with money I distributed.”

Defending the legitimacy of his election as ANC secretary-general, Mbalula said delegates had elected him freely and fairly.

“I was elected at the 55th National Conference at NASREC in December 2022 freely and fairly, by the delegates of the branches voting by secret ballot,” he said, adding that the results were supervised and declared by an Electoral Commission constituted under the ANC’s rules.

He also urged anyone with evidence of wrongdoing to report it through the party’s official channels.

“Where any member holds information about wrongdoing, the doors of this organisation are open to them, and the Integrity Commission exists for precisely that purpose.”

Mbalula confirmed that he has sought legal advice over Dlamini-Zuma’s remarks.

“I have consulted with my attorneys to seek clarity from Cde Dlamini-Zuma on her very damaging and painful allegations against my person.”

The public dispute comes as tensions continue within the ANC over the conduct and integrity of its internal electoral processes ahead of next year’s local government elections.

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