Lamola demands that Dlamini-Zuma retract allegations of vote-buying

Minister of international relations and co-operation Ronald Lamola has demanded that former AU chair and ANC veteran Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma retract allegations linking him to alleged vote-buying during the ANC’s 54th national conference in 2017.

In an open letter shared on social media, Lamola expressed “concern and disappointment” over remarks made by Dlamini-Zuma during an interview on the African Renaissance Podcast with Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.

“I have noted with concern and disappointment the remarks you made recently on a podcast with Dr Ndlozi. You are a leader I have long held in high esteem throughout my years of activism in the African National Congress. These comments seek to associate my name with alleged vote-buying activities during the ANC’s 54th national conference in 2017,” said Lamola.

Dlamini-Zuma made the remarks while reflecting on her unsuccessful bid for the ANC presidency at the party’s 54th national conference in Nasrec, where President Cyril Ramaphosa defeated her to become ANC president.

In the interview with Ndlozi, she suggested that money may have influenced the outcome of the contest.

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

Referring to an audio recording that allegedly circulated around the time of the conference, Dlamini-Zuma said: “You remember there was also a voice thing from Lamola saying they’re waiting for the money because this NDZ thing is going to disturb if the money doesn’t come.”

Lamola rejected the claims outright.

“Let me be unequivocal: I categorically deny any involvement in vote-buying, whether through phone calls, voice notes or any other medium, during that conference or at any other time. Furthermore, my voice and manner of speech are well known to many comrades, and any fair-minded person can clearly discern that the voice in question is not mine,” he said.

The minister said he was seeking a resolution through internal party processes rather than legal action.

“I am approaching you in a comradely manner to retract the statement, as it would pain me to take legal action against an ANC veteran with distinguished struggle credentials. I believe our movement has internal mechanisms and a culture of comradely engagement that should be exhausted before legal routes are pursued. It is not in my nature to turn every political disagreement into a courtroom battle,” said Lamola.

He urged Dlamini-Zuma to publicly withdraw the allegations and apologise.

“I urge you, comrade, to reconsider the allegations you have made. I trust that you will do the honourable thing: publicly retract the statement and offer an apology, in the spirit of unity, discipline and respect that our movement demands. Let us conduct our organisational discourse with the dignity, honesty and revolutionary discipline that our people expect of us. I have attached the audio in question for your reference and ease of review,” he said.

Dlamini-Zuma’s remarks extended beyond the 2017 conference. During the interview, she alleged that money had continued to play a role in ANC leadership contests, including at the party’s 55th national conference in 2022.

She claimed that ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula distributed money to delegates during the conference where Ramaphosa was re-elected ANC president and Mbalula was elected secretary-general.

“Mbalula was dishing the money in the clinic,” she said.

She further alleged that the distribution of money was done openly.

“It wasn’t like a secret,” she said, adding that such conduct was against ANC rules.

Mbalula has strongly denied the allegations.

In a statement on Tuesday, he said Dlamini-Zuma’s remarks had caused him “deep regret” and “real disappointment”, adding that he could not allow the allegations to go unanswered.

The debate also drew in DA federal chair Helen Zille, who weighed in on social media platform X.

“Come on. Everyone knows that vote-buying is a key component of ANC culture,” Zille wrote.

Mbalula hit back, accusing Zille of deflecting attention from issues in DA-governed Cape Town.

“Is this what Resolve Communication prepared for you to say today? But anyway, leave ANC and deal with the fact that you are building an apartheid wall worth 113-million in Cape Town to hide the blacks and coloureds,” Mbalula responded.

The latest exchange has reignited debate over the role of money in internal ANC elections, an issue that has surfaced repeatedly in discussions about the party’s leadership contests over the years.

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