‘Keep it in the ANC’: Dlamini-Zuma’s affidavit tackles Mbalula over vote-buying claims

ANC NEC member Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has submitted her reply to the defamation case filed against her by ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula. Dlamini-Zuma claims that Mbalula should not have taken the matter to court, stating that it is a party-political issue that requires an internal discussion within the ANC. "It is unwarranted for the applicant to congest our courts with what is clearly a party-political matter requiring a robust and honest internal discussion about the role of money in the election of the leadership of the ANC," she said.

Mbalula has denied Dlamini-Zuma's allegations and is seeking legal resolution. The dispute stems from comments Dlamini-Zuma made during an interview about her failed 2017 bid for the ANC presidency, where she alleged that money influenced the outcome and accused Mbalula of distributing funds at a 2022 conference to secure his position as secretary-general and aid Cyril Ramaphosa's re-election as party president.

Mbalula has dismissed these claims. Dlamini-Zuma's broader concern is about the role of money in ANC internal elections, which she believes needs to be addressed as part of the party's renewal efforts, warning that financial influence could damage the organization's character and leadership contests.