Johannesburg – AfriForum says it’s going to launch a complete file levelling allegations of fraud, cash laundering, and corruption in opposition to African Nationwide Congress (ANC) Secretary-Common Fikile Mbalula.
Regardless of a letter from Mbalula’s attorneys warning of attainable authorized motion for defamation, AfriForum insists it’s going to launch the file as we speak, Wednesday, 25 March 2026.
In a letter seen by The Bulrushes addressed to AfriForum, Mbalula’s attorneys, A Mothilal Attorneys Inc, mentioned it has come to “our shopper’s consideration” that sure communications had been being circulated by AfriForum to the impact that:
- 1.1 Afriforum will probably be launching a complete file to make sure that our shopper is held accountable for alleged fraud, cash laundering, corruption, and different reckless actions.
- 1.2 Advocate Gerrie Nel, head of AfriForum’s non-public prosecution unit, will present a top level view of the allegations in opposition to our shopper in addition to additional actions envisaged in opposition to our shopper.
- 1.3 Media is invited to this “occasion” on the AfriForum TV studio located at 58 Union Avenue, Kloofsig, Centurion
“We place on document that our shopper has not been charged or prosecuted in relation to the unfound allegations set out and vehemently denies the entire baseless allegations on this regard,” wrote the attorneys.
“Our Consumer is entitled to the constitutionally entrenched proper to be presumed harmless till confirmed responsible, as enshrined in Part 35(3)(h) of the Structure of the Republic of South Africa.
“We warning Afriforum that any proposed media briefing premised on the unfound allegations quantity to defamation and undermining of our shopper’s character and likewise poses the danger of prejudicing public opinion and trial by media, which might have the resultant impact of compromising and undermining due course of.”
Nevertheless, spokesperson Barry Bateman mentioned AfriForum was going forward with its media briefing scheduled for 10 am, the place it’s going to announce the “newest growth” in “Mbalula’s Dubai vacation scandal”.
Bateman mentioned AfriForum will launch a complete file to assist be certain that “Mbalula is held accountable for his alleged fraud, cash laundering, corruption and different reckless actions”.
Bateman added: “In the course of the launch of the ‘Mbalula File’, Advocate Gerrie Nel, Head of AfriForum’s Non-public Prosecution Unit, will present a breakdown of the allegations in opposition to Mbalula in addition to additional motion that’s envisaged in opposition to this ANC chief”.
All eyes are on AfriForum’s Centurion workplace, the place the matter is ready to be ventilated.
