South AfricaMbalula, Dlamini Zuma to Testify
High court orders ANC leaders to give oral evidence in defamation case over vote-buying allegations. The case stems from comments made by Dlamini Zuma accusing Mbalula of paying delegates at the ANC’s 2022 elective conference
Global Newsflix 2 min read
The high court in Johannesburg has ordered Fikile Mbalula and Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma to testify in a defamation case. Mbalula sued Dlamini Zuma for defamation after she accused him of using money to secure his election as ANC secretary-general
The allegations were made during an interview with the African Renaissance Podcast in August. Dlamini Zuma said there was a problem in the ANC whereby leadership outcomes were being decided through the buying of votes
Mbalula has denied the allegations, saying they were false and made to defame him. He sought an order declaring the allegations false and defamatory and compelling Dlamini Zuma to retract them and apologise
Acting judge Henno Viljoen found that there was a genuine dispute of fact that could not be resolved in the papers. He ordered that oral evidence be heard, with the parties to be cross-examined
Dlamini Zuma has welcomed the court's decision, saying she had respectfully submitted that the matter would be better determined by way of oral evidence. She said she remains committed to cooperating with the court's processes
The dispute will now be tested through oral evidence from both parties and witnesses. The court has directed that any witnesses either party wishes to call must be approved by the court and accompanied by an affidavit
The case is significant as it relates to the internal elective processes of the ANC. Dlamini Zuma said that if the ANC was to renew itself, it had to honestly confront the use of money in its internal elective processes
Key facts
- Fikile Mbalula and Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma have been ordered to testify in a defamation case
- The case relates to allegations of vote-buying at the ANC’s 2022 elective conference
- Dlamini Zuma accused Mbalula of paying delegates to secure his election as ANC secretary-general
- Mbalula has denied the allegations, saying they were false and made to defame him
Three perspectives
Neutral
The court's decision to hear oral evidence will allow both parties to present their case. The outcome of the case will depend on the evidence presented. The case is being closely watched as it relates to the internal processes of the ANC
Positive
The case has the potential to bring transparency to the internal elective processes of the ANC. Dlamini Zuma's willingness to cooperate with the court's processes is a positive step. The case may lead to reforms within the ANC
Negative
The case highlights the problems of corruption within the ANC. The allegations of vote-buying are serious and may damage the reputation of the ANC. The case may also lead to further divisions within the party
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