Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Withdraws Voice Note Attribution Against Ronald Lamola

• Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma posted a public retraction on X after attributing a voice note to Minister Ronald Lamola during a podcast appearance
• Lamola denied the voice was his and had threatened legal action, demanding an apology from the ANC veteran
• Dlamini-Zuma maintained her wider claim about money influencing ANC leadership contests, stopping short of a full apology

SOUTH AFRICA — Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has publicly withdrawn her claim that a voice note she cited on the African Renaissance Podcast belonged to International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola, following his direct denial and threats of legal action against her.

In a statement posted to X on 25 August 2026, Dlamini-Zuma wrote:

"Comrade Lamola has since advised me that the voice was not his. I withdraw the attribution on the basis of his clarification."

Lamola demanded retraction after podcast allegation

Dlamini-Zuma had previously claimed during the podcast that Lamola paid African National Congress delegates to vote for President Cyril Ramaphosa at the ANC conference at which Ramaphosa retained the party presidency. Lamola rejected the allegation outright, called for an apology, and signalled he was prepared to pursue legal remedies if one was not forthcoming.

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While Dlamini-Zuma retracted the specific attribution, she did not offer a direct apology to Lamola. She instead used the statement to reaffirm her underlying concern, saying:

"The broader concern I raised regarding the influence of money in leadership contests remains an important matter that must be addressed for the renewal and integrity of the African National Congress."

View the tweet on X:

Mixed reactions from South Africans

The retraction drew sharp responses on social media, with opinions divided on whether it was sufficient.

@SamSoleZA said:

"Not good enough. Even when you were collaborating with your ex-husband to prolong his influence and attempt to extend state capture, you knew what you were doing. Please don't insult our intelligence. The influence of money did not begin with Ramaphosa."

@mekgatla wrote:

"This is true leadership ,and I applaud you, Dr Zuma, for demonstrating the humility nd integrity to take responsibility. This is the kind of leadership that deserves recognition and respect."

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@Mesatshwa questioned Lamola's timing:

"It is disturbing that Lamola sought to distance himself from the voice note now when he never said anything the very first moment it surfaced. If he is genuine about his integrity, he should have dealt with it a long time ago."

@malalaveve was blunt:

"Lol, so you LIED about Lamola. No words can sugarcoat your statement."

@LedwabaRonald offered a rebuke aimed at Dlamini-Zuma's political standing:

"You see the danger of relying on unverified sources and believing them as facts. Now you look like an amateur in politics. Young leaders are making you withdraw statements. Stop with these faction tendencies. You're an ANC veteran and carry yourself as such."

Fikile Mbalula threatens to sue NDZ

In a related article, Brieflty News reported on the escalating tensions between Fikile Mbalula and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma following allegations of vote-buying during the recent ANC National Conference. Mbalula's threats of legal action highlight the serious implications of such claims in the context of South African politics.

Source: Briefly News