Ramaphosa breaks silence on ANC vote-buying claims: ‘Those are rumours’

President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed allegations of vote-buying within the ruling African National Congress (ANC), characterizing them as mere rumors. The comments came during an ANC canvassing effort in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni, ahead of the upcoming local government elections on November 4. The allegations emerged after ANC National Executive Committee member Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma claimed that party secretary-general Fikile Mbalula had used money to sway delegates at the 2022 ANC national conference, where Mbalula was elected to his position.

Dlamini-Zuma further alleged that money played a role in Ramaphosa's re-election as ANC president. Mbalula has vehemently denied these claims, asserting that he neither had nor used money to secure his election, and has taken Dlamini-Zuma to court for retracting her statements. Dlamini-Zuma has not agreed to the legal action and maintains that the allegations are part of a broader issue of money influencing ANC leadership contests.

Ramaphosa emphasized that ANC delegates should vote for candidates they believe will serve the party and the public best, rejecting the notion of vote-buying. He reiterated that the practice is entirely unacceptable within the ANC and vowed to root it out wherever it exists as part of the party's efforts to revitalize itself. The allegations have reignited discussions about the internal leadership struggles within the ANC, with Dlamini-Zuma maintaining her stance that the dispute revolves around alleged payments and Mbalula's involvement.

Despite the controversy, Ramaphosa dismissed suggestions of the ANC losing its political influence, citing the party's deep-rooted structures and support base across South Africa.