In recent days, South Africans have once again witnessed a familiar spectacle — individuals of no political substance or standing attempting to score cheap publicity by attacking the leadership of the African National Congress. The latest among them, Brown Mogotsi, has launched baseless attacks on the Secretary-General of the ANC, Comrade Fikile Mbalula, in a manner that is both reckless and mischievous.
It must be stated clearly and unequivocally: as Secretary-General of the African National Congress, Cde. Mbalula carries the constitutional responsibility to protect, defend, and advance the Constitution, traditions, and values of the ANC. This responsibility is not symbolic — it is central to the integrity and survival of the movement.
The ANC Constitution empowers the Secretary-General to uphold organisational discipline, defend unity, and ensure that the movement remains anchored to its founding mission of building a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and prosperous South Africa. In fulfilling these duties, Cde. Mbalula is not merely speaking for himself — he speaks as the custodian of the ANC’s moral and organisational integrity.
Cde. Mbalula’s role includes protecting the ANC from infiltration and hijacking by criminal elements who seek to exploit its name and reputation for selfish or unlawful ends. There are those who, failing to gain political relevance through genuine service and struggle, now attempt to cloak themselves in the colours of the ANC while advancing personal or criminal agendas. These opportunists seek to trade on the movement’s credibility to sanitise their dirty activities — a betrayal of everything the ANC stands for.
It is precisely this kind of moral decay that the Secretary-General is determined to root out. His vigilance is a defence not only of the organisation’s constitution but also of its revolutionary soul. Those who feel threatened by this cleansing process are the very ones who shout the loudest from the fringes, trying to paint their exposure as persecution.
Brown Mogotsi’s utterances — filled with misinformation and an obvious craving for attention — are nothing but political noise. It is a sign of deep desperation when nonentities, who have never contributed meaningfully to the struggle or the renewal of the ANC, try to undermine those tasked with rebuilding it. Their outbursts serve no one but those who wish to weaken the movement from within.
The ANC will not be held hostage by people who associate themselves with criminality while pretending to be comrades. The party’s renewal agenda — led firmly by Cde. Mbalula under the guidance of the National Executive Committee — is aimed precisely at restoring integrity, discipline, and ethical leadership within the movement.
We therefore encourage the Secretary-General to consider taking legal action under defamation of character against individuals who recklessly tarnish his name and the integrity of his office. Such irresponsible conduct cannot be left unchallenged, as it seeks to erode public confidence in the leadership of the movement and to sow seeds of division through lies and propaganda. The time has come for accountability — even in the realm of political discourse.
We reject with contempt the baseless claims peddled by Brown Mogotsi and his fellow opportunists. The ANC reaffirms its confidence in the leadership of the Secretary-General and commends his steadfast defence of the movement against infiltration and moral compromise.
Cde. Mbalula’s loyalty to the ANC’s founding mission remains unwavering. His duty is to the movement, its Constitution, and the people of South Africa — not to individuals who have traded integrity for attention. No amount of noise or provocation from political nonentities will distract him from defending the ANC against those who seek to drag its name into the mud.
issued by :
Centre For Ethical Leadership and Development RSA