The ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula, claims that a company seeking a payment of some R140m has concocted a story to claim money under false pretences.
Ezulweni Investments secured a court order allowing it to seize party assets to pay a debt stemming from services provided for the 2019 elections. An attempt earlier this week by the sheriff to do so was thwarted.
Mbalula said that the company had conspired with people inside the ANC to falsify the company’s claim. Mbalula commented: ‘Contrary to some claims, we engaged a different firm and not Ezulweni for branding and banners in 2019. The treasurer general and I had complete oversight and were never approached by Ezulweni. The alleged debt is surprising.’
He added that the ANC settled its debts. ‘This is not a matter of not being able to pay the money. The ANC’s state of affairs is stable, but operating a liberation movement is expensive,’ he said.
A failure to pay its debts could result in the ANC being liquidated.
Financial problems have dogged the ANC in recent years, with high-profile failures to pay staff costs and taxes being reported.