ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has rejected claims that he used money to win his leadership position.
The allegations surfaced during a Renaissance Podcast interview featuring former EFF MP Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma made the claims during Monday’s episode of the podcast.
She alleged that money influenced the ANC’s 2022 elective conference.
Dlamini-Zuma also accused Mbalula of distributing cash during the conference.
Dlamini-Zuma makes explosive allegations
During the interview, Ndlozi questioned Dlamini-Zuma about alleged financial influence within the ANC.
She claimed Mbalula handed out money while seeking support for his election.
“And also, Mbalula was dishing the money in the clinic, so money has played a role in the ANC,” Dlamini-Zuma said.
Ndlozi then asked whether the alleged payments happened openly.
Dlamini-Zuma responded: “Openly, yeah, it wasn’t like a secret.”
She further claimed the money aimed to influence leadership elections.
Asked whether Mbalula’s election formed part of that alleged effort, she said:
“To be elected and for the president to be elected.”
Dlamini-Zuma also implicated the ANC’s current top seven officials.
She suggested money helped determine their election during the conference.
However, ANC rules prohibit financial inducements during internal leadership contests.
Ndlozi highlighted those rules during the discussion.
Dlamini-Zuma nevertheless maintained that money influenced the 2022 conference.
“Money was used clearly. We all know. We all saw it. At least in 2022, we saw it.”
She also claimed conference workers could confirm what allegedly happened.
“If you ask anyone who worked at the clinic at the time, they’ll tell you. Even the media reported it… I’m not revealing a secret. The media reported it at that time.”
Mbalula hits back at allegations
Mbalula responded to the claims on Tuesday and strongly denied the accusations.
He described the allegations as false, damaging and deeply hurtful.
The ANC secretary-general said he had already involved his legal representatives.
His lawyers will reportedly seek clarity from Dlamini-Zuma over her statements.
Mbalula has therefore rejected suggestions that he purchased support during the conference.
The controversy has meanwhile revived concerns about money and ANC leadership contests.
However, Dlamini-Zuma has not publicly presented evidence supporting her allegations.
Mbalula’s legal response could now intensify tensions between the two senior ANC figures.
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