ANC at War: Ntuli Fires Back at Mbalula Over Phala Phala Vote as ANC Rift Narrative Surfaces

Mdumiseni Ntuli has rejected claims that Fikile Mbalula instructed ANC caucus members not to support the parliamentary panel report related to the controversial Phala Phala scandal.

Addressing the ongoing debate around the issue, Ntuli said the allegations are inaccurate because Mbalula was not serving as ANC secretary-general when the parliamentary process took place.

Ntuli argued that the timeline of events makes the accusation impossible, noting that Mbalula could not have issued directives in an official role he had not yet assumed.

The Phala Phala controversy remains one of the most politically sensitive matters involving President Cyril Ramaphosa. The scandal relates to allegations surrounding foreign currency stolen from Ramaphosa’s game farm in Limpopo and prompted significant political scrutiny, including the appointment of an independent parliamentary panel to assess whether the president had a case to answer.

The panel’s findings deepened political tensions in South Africa and increased pressure on the African National Congress, as opposition parties pushed for stronger accountability measures. Despite this, the ANC caucus ultimately voted against recommendations that could have paved the way for impeachment proceedings against Ramaphosa.

Ntuli’s latest comments appear aimed at countering what he described as misleading claims about how decisions were made within the ANC during that period. He maintained that linking Mbalula to caucus instructions was politically driven and ignored the actual sequence of leadership changes inside the party.

Mbalula officially took over as ANC secretary-general after the party’s elective conference in December 2022, replacing Ace Magashule following a prolonged period of instability within the organisation’s senior leadership.

Political analysts say renewed attention on the Phala Phala process highlights ongoing tensions within the ANC ahead of future leadership and policy debates. While the ruling party has consistently defended its handling of the issue, critics continue to argue that party loyalty may have taken precedence over parliamentary accountability.

Ntuli, however, stressed the importance of factual accuracy in political discussions and warned against what he called false narratives that could misrepresent ANC processes to the public.

His remarks are expected to reignite debate over the Phala Phala matter, which continues to be a sensitive issue for both the ANC and opposition parties challenging the credibility of the governing party’s leadership.