Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola has called on ANC veteran Nkosazana Dlamini-Zumato publicly retract allegations linking him to alleged vote-buying during the ANC’s 54th National Conference in 2017, warning that he may pursue legal action if she fails to do so.
In an open letter addressed to Dlamini-Zuma, Lamola said he was disappointed by remarks she made during a podcast with Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, claiming the comments sought to associate him with vote-buying activities at the ANC’s 2017 elective conference.
Lamola strongly denied any involvement in vote-buying, saying he had never participated in such conduct, whether through phone calls, voice notes or any other means, during the conference or at any other time.
He also pooh-poohed claims that an audio recording circulating in relation to the allegations featured his voice.
“My voice and manner of speech are well known to many comrades, and any fair-minded person can clearly discern that the voice in question is not mine,” Lamola wrote.
The minister appealed to Dlamini-Zuma to withdraw the statement through internal party engagement, saying he would prefer to resolve the matter without resorting to the courts.
“I am approaching you in a comradely manner to retract the statement, as it would pain me to take legal action against an ANC veteran with distinguished struggle credentials,” he said.
Lamola said the ANC’s internal processes and tradition of comradely engagement should be exhausted before legal action is considered.
He urged Dlamini-Zuma to publicly retract the allegations and apologise, saying such a step would uphold the values of unity, discipline and mutual respect within the governing party.
Lamola has also attached the audio recording referred to in the allegations to his letter for Dlamini-Zuma’s review.
