{
  "id": 12123708,
  "title": "Dlamini-Zuma welcomes oral evidence order in Mbalula defamation case",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/dlamini-zuma-welcomes-oral-evidence-order-in-mbalula-defamation-case",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T10:06:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/news/politics/2026-10-05-dlamini-zuma-welcomes-oral-evidence-order-in-mbalula-defamation-case/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "ANC NEC member Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has welcomed the Johannesburg High Court's decision to hear oral evidence in the defamation case brought against her by ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula. Acting Judge Henno Viljoen's judgment on Friday directed that the central factual dispute between the two ANC leaders be tested through oral evidence from the parties and witnesses. Dlamini-Zuma emphasized that the court did not grant the relief sought by Mbalula, who requested an order compelling her to retract and apologize for statements made during an interview on the African Renaissance Podcast. Instead, the court has ordered oral evidence to determine the central factual question, which Dlamini-Zuma remains committed to cooperating with during the court process. The defamation case arose from Dlamini-Zuma's allegation that Mbalula distributed money to delegates at a clinic during the ANC's 2022 National Conference to secure his election as secretary-general and aid in Cyril Ramaphosa's re-election as ANC president.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "title": "Mbalula, Dlamini-Zuma ordered to testify over vote-buying claims in defamation case",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/mbalula-dlamini-zuma-ordered-to-testify-over-vote-buying-claims-in",
        "published": "2026-10-05T11:50:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Mail and Guardian",
        "title": "Dlamini-Zuma, Mbalula set to take stand over ANC vote-buying allegations",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/dlamini-zuma-mbalula-set-to-take-stand-over-anc-vote-buying",
        "published": "2026-10-05T12:46:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SABC News",
        "title": "Dlamini-Zuma welcomes oral evidence in defamation case",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/dlamini-zuma-welcomes-oral-evidence-in-defamation-case",
        "published": "2026-10-05T12:47:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}