ANC Leadership Battle Escalates | Johannesburg News

Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma is locked in a legal showdown with ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula after accusing him of bribing delegates during the 2022 party conference that reinstated Cyril Ramaphosa — claims she made on a podcast. Mbalula counters by suing her for defamation, demanding she retract the allegations and pay damages, while denying any wrongdoing and calling the accusations politically motivated. Dlamini Zuma stands firm, backing up her claims with an affidavit from a delegate who says he received cash from Mbalula, and even seeks to include the podcast host in the lawsuit, arguing the legal battle is really about shielding Mbalula from political accountability. President Ramaphosa has acknowledged awareness of vote-buying rumors but affirmed the party’s stance against such practices. The high court in Johannesburg will hear Mbalula’s urgent application this Tuesday — a pivotal moment exposing deep fractures within the ANC over how leadership is chosen and whether money plays a role behind the scenes. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Sources:https://www.sundaytimes.timeslive.co.za/news/2026-09-15-dlamini-zuma-stands-by-vote-buying-allegations-against-mbalula/ More coverage & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/5da40e95562ffd18 Report issues to [email protected].