Mbalula rejects Dlamini‑Zuma’s claim that money was used to sway ANC votes

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has denied an allegation by former African Union chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini‑Zuma that money was used to influence outcomes at ANC leadership conferences and that he distributed cash to delegates.

Allegation made on podcast

Dlamini‑Zuma made the remarks during an interview on the African Renaissance Podcast, reflecting on her unsuccessful bid for the ANC presidency at the party’s 54th National Conference in 2017, where Cyril Ramaphosa was elected.

Speaking about that contest, she said:

“I thought I was going to win, but maybe money, maybe, I don’t know.”

She said concerns about money had continued to surface in ANC leadership contests and referred specifically to the ANC’s 55th National Conference in 2022. Dlamini‑Zuma alleged that money was distributed during the conference and directly named Mbalula, saying:

“Mbalula was dishing the money in the clinic.”

She added:

“It wasn’t like a secret.”

On the wider issue she said:

“As I understand, the use of money is criminal in terms of conferences of the ANC. Money was used. We all know. We all saw it. At least in 2022 we saw it.”

Mbalula issues formal denial

In a statement, Mbalula said he rejected the allegations and that he did not distribute money to delegates at the 55th National Conference, the 54th National Conference, or at any ANC gathering. He said:

“I Fikile Mbalula, deny these allegations in their entirety. I did not distribute money to delegates, at the facility referred to as the clinic or anywhere else, to procure my own election or the election of any other comrade, at the 55th National Conference, or the 54th National Conference, or at any conference, council or gathering of the African National Congress.”

He added:

“Nothing of the sort was done by myself. I reject the allegation, and reject the proposition that the leadership of this Movement was procured with money I distributed.”

On the legitimacy of his election

Mbalula said his election at the 55th National Conference at NASREC in December 2022 was carried out by a secret ballot overseen by the party’s Electoral Commission, and he cited the ANC constitution:

“I was elected at the 55th National Conference at NASREC in December 2022 freely and fairly, by the delegates of the branches voting by secret ballot as Rule 12.3 of our Constitution requires.”

He also said that no branch, region, province or ANC league had challenged the election outcome:

“Not one branch, not one region, not one province and not one League challenged that declaration then, and none has challenged it in the years since.”

Next steps and party processes

Mbalula said members who hold information about wrongdoing can approach the ANC’s Integrity Commission and that the party reserves its rights. He said he had consulted attorneys to seek clarity from Dlamini‑Zuma over what he called “very damaging and painful allegations.”

He also urged ANC members and South Africans not to allow the matter to distract from the party’s preparations for the 4 November 2026 local government elections.