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South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has demanded a public retraction and apology from former African Union Commission Chairperson and senior African National Congress (ANC) leader Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma over remarks linking him to alleged vote-buying during the party’s 2017 national conference.
In an open letter addressed to Dlamini-Zuma posted on X on Wednesday, Lamola described the allegations as false and warned that he could pursue legal action if she failed to withdraw the claims, although he said he hoped the matter could be resolved through the ANC’s internal processes.
“I have noted with concern and disappointment the remarks you made recently on a podcast with Mr Ndlozi,” Lamola wrote.
“You are a leader I have long held in high esteem throughout my years of activism in the African National Congress.”
According to Lamola, Dlamini-Zuma’s comments sought to associate him with allegations of vote-buying at the ANC’s 54th National Conference held in December 2017.
Rejecting the claims, Lamola said: “Let me be unequivocal: I categorically deny any involvement in vote-buying, whether through phone calls, voice notes, or any other medium, during that conference or at any other time.”
He also disputed suggestions that an audio recording circulating in connection with the allegations featured his voice.
Lamola appealed to Dlamini-Zuma to withdraw the remarks voluntarily, saying he would prefer to resolve the matter within the ANC rather than through 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 wrote.
“I believe our movement has internal mechanisms and a culture of comradely engagement that should be exhausted before legal routes are pursued. It is not in my nature to turn every political disagreement into a courtroom battle.”
Despite that, Lamola urged the veteran politician to reconsider her remarks.
“I trust that you will do the honourable thing: publicly retract the statement and offer an apology, in the spirit of unity, discipline, and respect that our movement demands.”
The dispute centres on allegations related to the ANC’s fiercely contested 54th National Conference, held at Nasrec, Johannesburg, in December 2017.
The conference elected Cyril Ramaphosa as ANC president after a closely fought contest against Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who was backed by supporters of then-president Jacob Zuma.
The contest was reportedly marked by allegations of lobbying, factionalism and vote-buying, although many of those claims have never been proven in court.
Lamola, who currently serves as South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, was among younger ANC leaders whose political profile rose after the 2017 conference.
Dear Comrade @DlaminiZuma
Open Letter re alleged Lamola recording
I have noted with concern and disappointment the remarks you made recently on a podcast with Dr Ndlozi. You are a leader I have long held in high esteem throughout my years of activism in the African National… https://t.co/rg0FoBEEPg pic.twitter.com/loZD9bMiQL
— Minister: International Relations and Cooperation (@RonaldLamola) August 5, 2026
