Johannesburg – International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola and the African National Congress (ANC) Secretary General Fikile Mbalula have denied vote-buying claims made against them by senior party member Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
She recently made the damning remarks on the “African Renaissance Podcast” hosted by Dr. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.
Asked about why she lost the ANC leadership contest, Dr. Dlamini-Zuma blamed her loss on vote-buying and named Lamola and Mbalula as individuals who participated in the anomaly.
Dr. Dlamini-Zuma also claimed that half a billion rand was found in someone’s room on the first morning of the ANC conference.
She said: “Mbalula was dishing out money openly” at the clinic for him to win the ANC SG position and for Cyril Ramaphosa to win the party presidency.
“Money was used … we all know… we saw it,” said Dr. Dlamini-Zuma, adding, “I am not revealing anything… it was in the media”.
She also said there was a recording of Lamola speaking about the money that was to be distributed among delegates.
Both Lamola and Mbalula have rejected the claims as false.
In an open letter posted on X, Minister Lamola said: “These comments seek to associate my name with alleged vote-buying activities during the ANC’s 54th National Conference in 2017.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
ANC SG Mbalula said Dr. Dlamini-Zuma’s remarks have “created a wound so deep, and it is for that reason that I cannot allow them to stand unanswered”.
Mbalula denied the vote-buying allegation, saying: “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 at the 55th National Conference or the 54th National Conference or at any conference, council or gathering of the African National Congress. Nothing of the sort was done by myself”.
He added: “I reject the allegation and reject the proposition that the leadership of this Movement was procured with money I distributed.”
ANC SG Mbalula said he was consulting his attorneys to “seek clarity from Cde Dlamini-Zuma on the very damaging and painful allegations against my person”.
