AfriForum has called on the United States to sanction ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula under the Global Magnitsky Act. The organisation says it turned to the US because it believes South African law enforcement and prosecutors have failed to act against him.

According to The Citizen, AfriForum’s case is based on a dossier prepared by advocate Gerrie Nel and his team in the group’s private prosecution unit. The dossier forms part of AfriForum’s push for Mbalula to face charges linked to fraud, corruption and money laundering.

Dossier Centres on Fraud and Corruption Claims

AfriForum says the dossier will be used to persuade both the National Prosecuting Authority and US lawmakers to act. Nel claimed there is a strong prima facie case tied to payments for a Dubai holiday taken by Mbalula and his family in December 2016.

AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel said the group and Solidarity were trying to prevent broader punitive measures against South Africa, while still pushing for targeted action against individuals accused of serious corruption. He also accused Mbalula of damaging relations with the US through recent public remarks.

ANC Pushes Back Hard

The ANC has rejected the move and described it as a politically motivated smear campaign. Party spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said AfriForum was not pursuing justice, but was instead trying to isolate Mbalula through foreign pressure.

She said the call for US action against a senior figure in South Africa’s governing party was reckless and amounted to an attack on the country’s sovereignty. Bhengu-Motsiri also argued that AfriForum was trying to weaponise foreign policy tools to fight local political battles.

Bigger Political Fight Now Unfolding

The clash has now become bigger than the allegations alone. It has opened a fresh political fight over sovereignty, accountability and whether outside governments should play any role in South Africa’s domestic disputes.

Mbalula had reportedly tried to block AfriForum’s press conference through an urgent legal bid, but was unsuccessful. He said he reserved his rights and that his legal team and accountants were ready to respond.

The row has sharpened tensions between AfriForum and the ANC, while putting fresh focus on long-running allegations that have still not resulted in prosecution.