Johannesburg High Court hears Dlamini-Zuma-Mbalula defamation case; judgment reserved
Published · Updated
What happened
The Johannesburg High Court heard arguments on 15 September in Fikile Mbalula's defamation case against Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and the court reserved judgment. The dispute centers on Dlamini-Zuma's allegation that Mbalula bribed delegates to secure election as ANC secretary-general.
Why it matters
A court finding, settlement move, or additional affidavits could affect the standing of a serving ANC top-six official and shape internal party discipline, messaging, and succession positioning. Court-backed findings on allegations tied to party office can also create pressure for internal ANC processes or public rebuttal by senior leadership.
The Johannesburg High Court heard a defamation dispute on 15 September between ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula and senior ANC figure Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma over her allegation that he bribed his way into the secretary-general post. Judgment was reserved, leaving open a near-term legal trigger on whether the court rebukes, narrows, or validates parts of the accusation. Because the case concerns the integrity of a top-six ANC office and involves two senior party actors, further court filings or factional mobilisation could shift the matter from a contained personal dispute into a broader legitimacy contest inside the party.
Watch for
Johannesburg High Court publication of a judgment date or electronic upload of the reserved ruling on or after 2026-09-23 Fikile Mbalula filing any supplementary affidavit, notice, or costs submission on the CaseLines or court roll system on or after 2026-09-23 ANC National Officials or ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri issuing a formal statement on whether the party will open an internal process after the court hearing, on or after 2026-09-23 Verified programme notice for an ANC provincial or national meeting at which Dlamini-Zuma or Mbalula addresses the bribery allegation or secretary-general mandate on or after 2026-09-23
Sources
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