Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Opposes Fikile Mbalula's Defamation Lawsuit

ANC National Executive Committee member Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is opposing a defamation lawsuit filed by Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula. The legal dispute stems from an interview Dlamini-Zuma gave on the African Renaissance Podcast, where she alleged that money influenced the party's leadership contests. Specifically, she accused Mbalula of bribing delegates with cash during the 2017 national elective conference—a race she lost to Cyril Ramaphosa—and claimed vote-buying occurred during the 2022 conference.

Mbalula denied the allegations and served Dlamini-Zuma with court papers on August 21, 2026, demanding a formal apology and retraction. Dlamini-Zuma's legal representatives filed a notice of intention to oppose the matter on August 25, 2026. In a media statement issued on Thursday, Dlamini-Zuma stated she stands by her comments and is prepared to defend them in court, arguing that the party must confront the influence of money to achieve true renewal.

This conflict follows a separate incident in which Dlamini-Zuma apologized to Ronald Lamola after making similar vote-buying accusations against him.