‘Damaging and painful’: Mbalula seeks legal advice over Dlamini-Zuma’s vote-buying claims

Thesecretary-general of the ANC, Fikile Mbalula, says he has consulted his lawyers after what he described as “damaging and painful” allegations by former cabinet minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma that money was used to influence outcomes at the ANC’s national conferences. “I have consulted with my attorneys to seek clarity from comrade Dlamini-Zuma on her very damaging and painful allegations against my person,” said Mbalula. He added that Dlamini-Zuma’s comments had left him deeply disappointed.

“I have noted, with deep regret and with real disappointment, the remarks made by Dr Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma on the African Renaissance Podcast on the evening of 3 August 2026 concerning the use of money at the 54th and 55th national conferences of our movement. Her remarks have created a wound so deep, and it is for that reason that I cannot allow them to stand unanswered,” he said. The statement follows explosive claims made by Dlamini-Zuma during an interview with former EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi in which she alleged thatMbalulahad openly distributed money to delegates during the ANC’s 2022 national conference at Nasrec to secure votes.

The former minister said money played a role in the party’s internal elections and claimed delegates and conference workers were aware of alleged vote-buying activities. “Money was used. We all know.

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We all saw it at the ANC’s 2022 national conference,” she said. Dlamini-Zuma further alleged that on the first morning of the conference, half-a-billion rand was discovered in a person’s room. Her comments are part of a broader discussion on internal democracy, leadership contests and the influence of money in ANC electoral processes. She questioned whether leaders elected through financial inducements could exercise independent judgement once in office.

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