JOHANNESBURG - International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has threatened to take legal action against Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma if she fails to retract vote-buying allegations she made about him.
He said taking the matter to the courts would not be an easy decision because he holds the veteran and former minister in high regard,
“I have not set any deadline, but if there is no retraction from her side, I will definitely proceed with the court process... And as I said, I will be doing it very reluctantly because of my highest level of respect and regard for Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma's role in our struggle, but also in the post-democratic South Africa in a role to construct,” Lamola said.
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has accused Ronald Lamola and Fikile Mbalula of dishing out money ahead of the 2017 and 2022 ANC Elective Conferences.
READ | Lamola fires back at Dlamini-Zuma over vote-buying claims
In an interview on Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi's podcast, Dlamini-Zuma said money played a role in what she thought was a sure-win for her campaigns.
Lamola once again denied these allegations.
“When this clip surfaced in 2017, I did clarify then that it's not me. I don't know who's talking in that clip or in that video. So I should not be associated with the video or with any scheme of vote buying.”
Given the seriousness of these allegations, questions may arise regarding whether or not further investigations into the claims are needed.
Lamola said, "The one who alleges has to prove. In this regard, I've already said there is no proof. The ANC has got its own processes. I believe it can attend to the matter if it deems it necessary.
"But as you are aware, the ANC is now seized with a huge matter of local government elections, allocation of councillors, and appointment of mayors. If the ANC will now be defocused by this, it will be very tragic."