ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula says he is prepared to withdraw his defamation lawsuit against former ANC chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma if she apologises for allegations that he used money to buy votes during the ANC’s leadership contest.
Mbalula made the comments during a media briefing at Luthuli House on Tuesday 8 September, where he defended his decision to take legal action against Dlamini-Zuma.
Dlamini-Zuma is being sued by Mbalula in the Johannesburg High Court following remarks she made on Mbuyiseni Ndlozi’s podcast, where she alleged that Mbalula had been dishing out money at a clinic in an attempt to buy votes for his election as ANC secretary-general.
Mbalula said he could not simply ignore the allegations because they could have implications for his integrity.
“If I don’t challenge this, I will be chased like with that Dubai trip,” Mbalula said.
He said the matter could also come under scrutiny from the ANC’s Integrity Commission chaired by Frank Chikane, where he would have to explain his response to the allegations.
“ There are many people that I deal with when it comes to matters of integrity here in the ANC. If I’m taken to the Integrity Commission they will ask me what did I do with that statement. Frank will call me. At least (Ronald) Lamola got his apology. What about me?” he asked.
Mbalula said the courts would ultimately determine the issues raised in the case, adding that he had no other recourse.
“Court will decide those issues. I have no recourse,” he said.
He also said as the enforcer of the ANC rules, he will be comprised if he does not clear his name.
“If I was just an ordinary member I would probably keep quiet,” Mbalula said.
However, he indicated that the dispute could be resolved without a court judgment if Dlamini-Zuma apologised.
“If she apologises, I will withdraw this matter,” he said.
Mbalula also acknowledged that the ANC faces serious vote buying challenges and warned against a situation where wealth determines who rises to leadership positions in the governing party.
“I agree that there is a problem of money in the ANC. if we dont deal with this issue, we are going to be led by people who have money here. We can’t allow that,” he said.
He warned that failing to address the issue could see the party’s leadership contests increasingly becoming a contest of financial muscle.
“If we don’t address this issue, it means in the ANC the person with the biggest purse will lead the ANC,” Mbalula said.
The defamation case stems from Dlamini-Zuma’s claims concerning Mbalula’s alleged use of money to influence ANC members ahead of his election as secretary-general.
Dlamini-Zuma has denied wrongdoing and is opposing the action.