‘It would pain me to take legal action’: Lamola warns Dlamini-Zuma over allegations

Dlamini-Zuma

Cape Town – International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has called on ANC veteran Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to publicly retract allegations linking him to vote-buying during the ANC’s 54th National Conference in 2017, warning that he may pursue legal action if she fails to do so.

The dispute follows comments made by Dlamini-Zuma during an interview on the African Renaissance Podcast with former EFF MP Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, in which she alleged that money had played a role in influencing leadership contests within the ANC, including claims linked to the party’s 2017 elective conference.

In an open letter released on Wednesday, Lamola said he was “concerned and disappointed” by remarks Dlamini-Zuma allegedly made during a podcast with Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.

“I have noted with concern and disappointment the remarks you made recently on a podcast with Dr Ndlozi,” Lamola wrote.

“These comments seek to associate my name with alleged vote-buying activities during the ANC’s 54th National Conference in 2017.”

Lamola denied the allegations, saying he had never participated in vote-buying during the conference or at any other time.

“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.

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.”

Despite threatening possible legal action, Lamola said he was first seeking to resolve the matter within the ANC’s internal structures.

“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.

“I believe our movement has internal mechanisms and a culture of comradely engagement that should be exhausted before legal routes are pursued. It is not in my nature to turn every political disagreement into a courtroom battle.”

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

“I trust that you will do the honourable thing: publicly retract the statement and offer an apology, in the spirit of unity, discipline, and respect that our movement demands.”

He concluded by calling for political discourse within the ANC to be conducted with integrity.

“Let us conduct our organisational discourse with the dignity, honesty, and revolutionary discipline that our people expect of us.”

Lamola said he had attached the audio recording at the centre of the dispute to his letter “for your reference and ease of review.”

Mbalula has similarly denied allegations by Dlamini-Zuma that he participated in vote-buying during the ANC’s 2022 national conference at Nasrec and that money influenced the party’s 2017 leadership contest.

Dlamini-Zuma claimed he had been “dishing money in the clinic” to garner support for his election as ANC secretary-general and for Ramaphosa’s second term as party president.

“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.”

Dlamini-Zuma said the alleged vote buying was widely known among delegates.

“Money was used. We all know. We all saw it. At the ANC’s 2022 National Conference, we all saw it.”

She added that anyone who worked at the conference clinic could corroborate her claims.

“If you ask anyone who worked at the clinic at the time, they’ll tell you. Even the media reported it. I’m not revealing a secret.”

Mbalula described the allegations as “very damaging and painful” and said he had sought legal advice to pursue the matter.

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

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