Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Says Telling Truth In ANC Can Put Lives At Risk

ANC National Executive Committee member Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has told the High Court that some people within the party fear for their lives and are reluctant to speak about allegations of vote-buying at the ANC's December 2022 elective conference.

Dlamini Zuma made the claim in an opposing affidavit filed on Saturday in response to legal action brought by ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula.

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Mbalula is seeking an apology from Dlamini Zuma over remarks she made during an interview with the African Renaissance podcast in August, in which she alleged that he distributed money to delegates during the 2022 conference to influence its outcome.

She also alleged that money was used to secure the election of Mbalula as secretary-general and Cyril Ramaphosa as ANC president.

Mbalula has denied the allegations, describing them as false and defamatory.

Mbalula Denies Vote-Buying Allegations

In his court papers, Mbalula rejected Dlamini Zuma's claims and said she had provided no evidence to substantiate them.

“I emphatically deny these allegations as there is no merit to any of them. The Respondent cannot point to or provide any shred of evidence regarding these spurious and unfounded allegations,” Mbalula said.

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He argued that the allegations were made to damage his reputation.

“They are false and made with the sole purpose of lowering my standing in the eyes of the public. The only reasonable inference that one can draw from the conduct of the Respondent is that these allegations are calculated to defame me.”

Dlamini Zuma disputes that characterisation and argues that the central issue is whether the alleged events took place.

Dlamini Zuma Cites Alleged Witnesses

In her opposing affidavit, Dlamini Zuma said Mbalula's denial was not supported by facts and attached an affidavit from an individual whom she said had been present during the alleged distribution of money.

She argued that she was not the only person with knowledge of the alleged events and that others had witnessed what happened but were unwilling to come forward.

“I am not alone in knowing that the applicant was engaged in this. There are many people in the ANC who witnessed this but some of them fear for their lives and are reluctant to come out,” she said.

Dlamini Zuma further claimed that some people had been discouraged by their families from becoming involved in the dispute.

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“Others have been advised by their families not to enter this fray because telling the truth has become a life-threatening event in the ANC and South Africa,” she said.

She said some individuals had contacted her privately to express both their support and their fears.

Dlamini Zuma argued that the dispute was fundamentally about facts rather than legal interpretation.

“This is not a dispute about legal interpretation. It is not a legal disagreement. It is a dispute about what happened,” she said.

She maintained that the question of whether delegates were paid and whether Mbalula was involved constituted material factual disputes at the centre of the case.

Delegate Claims He Benefited From Payments

Dlamini Zuma also attached an affidavit from Mandla Themba Sibiya of the Mzala Nxumalo Region.

Sibiya said he had been present during the 2022 ANC conference when Mbalula allegedly distributed money to delegates.

He said he had witnessed the alleged payments and had personally benefited financially.

Sibiya said he was prepared to confront the issue of alleged vote-buying at ANC conferences openly.

The allegations made by Dlamini Zuma and Sibiya have not been established by a court.

The legal proceedings will determine the merits of the dispute between Dlamini Zuma and Mbalula, including the allegations concerning the alleged distribution of money at the 2022 ANC elective conference.