Fikile Mbalula and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Face Off in Court Over Vote-Buying Claims
- ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula launched an urgent defamation application against Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma in the Johannesburg High Court
- Dlamini-Zuma alleged that Mbalula distributed cash from an ambulance to influence delegates at the ANC's 2022 elective conference
- Mbalula's legal team argued no evidence had been produced to support the vote-buying claims and called for a formal apology
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JOHANNESBURG — ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula and former minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma appeared before the Johannesburg High Court as Mbalula's urgent defamation application against her got underway.
The legal dispute stems from claims Dlamini-Zuma made alleging that Mbalula used money to secure his election as secretary-general at the party's 2022 elective conference, while also helping President Cyril Ramaphosa retain the ANC presidency.
Mbalula demands retraction and apology
Mbalula's legal team is asking the court to compel Dlamini-Zuma to withdraw her statements and issue a formal apology. According to EWN, his lawyer, Smanga Setheni, told the court that the allegations lacked any evidentiary foundation.
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Setheni challenged Dlamini-Zuma to produce concrete proof, arguing that only verifiable evidence could give the claims any weight.
"Our submission is simple: immediately when proof is tendered before this court in the form of a video clip or picture where a delegate is receiving money from Mr Mbalula, then the court must reject that defence outright," Setheni said.
Dlamini-Zuma stands firm
Dlamini-Zuma arrived at court accompanied by family members and supporters, and has shown no intention of retreating from her position. She told Eyewitness News ahead of the hearing that she would not be issuing any apology.
Among her claims is an allegation that Mbalula distributed cash to conference delegates from an ambulance in an effort to buy votes. She also contended that it is widely understood within ANC circles that Mbalula did not legitimately win the secretary-general race.
When pressed on whether she regretted her statements, Dlamini-Zuma suggested that Mbalula's own conscience would serve as the most scathing testimony against him.
"Do you know who my strongest witness is? It's his conscience," she said.
She expressed confidence that the proceedings would ultimately vindicate her, and that Mbalula would be compelled to account for the vote-buying allegations.
Mbalula has previously denied all vote-buying allegations.
ANC heavyweight confirms vote-buying claims
Previously, Briefly News reported that Dr Zamani Saul publicly acknowledged that money continues to play a role in leadership contests within the African National Congress (ANC). The Provincial Chairperson of the ANC in the Northern Cape made the comments following explosive allegations made by ANC veteran Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Speaking to eNCA, Saul did not dispute the substance of Dlamini-Zuma's broader allegations.
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Source: Briefly News
