- A data leak reviewed by Forbidden Stories reveals alleged Russian influence operations in South Africa’s election campaigns between 2019 and 2025.
- Secret meetings reportedly occurred in Johannesburg between Russian agents and leaders of the African National Congress (ANC).
- Fikile Mbalula, Secretary General of the ANC, and his advisor Bongani Mbindwane are named in the documents.
- Mbindwane allegedly received $3,000 per month in early 2025 for his services.
- Russian agents are accused of fabricating documents and running smear campaigns against opposition parties like the Democratic Alliance (DA), paying South African influencers for negative posts.
The startling revelations from a data leak suggest a concerted effort by Russian influence agents to manipulate South African political discourse. These covert operations, extending over several years, highlight a sophisticated network aimed at supporting pro-Russian candidates and discrediting opposition through various means, including online disinformation. The alleged involvement of high-profile political figures adds a layer of scandal to these claims, raising questions about the integrity of democratic processes.
Central to the allegations are secret meetings in Johannesburg where Russian operatives, identified by codenames such as ‘9477,’ interacted with senior ANC officials. The payments to advisors and the strategic use of social media influencers to spread propaganda underscore a deliberate strategy to shape public opinion. Campaigns like ‘DA Racists’ and ‘Burning the DA Flag,’ reportedly funded by these agents, exemplify the aggressive tactics employed to undermine political rivals.
The impact of these campaigns is reported to have reached millions, with internal assessments by ‘The Company’ (a network linked to Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service) claiming wide audience engagement. While the full extent of their success is debated, the exposure of these tactics, including the fabrication of documents attributed to opposition leaders, points to a serious breach of electoral ethics and a potential threat to South Africa’s democratic sovereignty.
Timeline
- December 23, 2024: Russian agent ‘9477’ reportedly met with ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula in Johannesburg.
- Early 2025: Bongani Mbindwane, Mbalula’s advisor, allegedly started receiving $3,000 monthly for services to Russian agents.
- May 2024: ‘The Company’ reportedly made its largest investment in South Africa for influence operations among African countries.
- June 2024: Helen Zille, DA president, called a fabricated letter attributed to her party ‘absurd,’ which the leak reveals was created by Russian agents.
- March 13, 2026: Forbidden Stories published the review of the data leak, exposing the alleged Russian influence.
Key Players
- Russian Influence Agents (‘The Company’): Alleged orchestrators of covert operations and smear campaigns.
- Fikile Mbalula: Secretary General of the African National Congress (ANC), reportedly met with Russian agents.
- Bongani Mbindwane: Mbalula’s advisor, allegedly received payments from Russian agents.
- Democratic Alliance (DA): Opposition party targeted by alleged smear campaigns and fabricated documents.
- Helen Zille: President of the DA, explicitly mentioned in relation to a fabricated letter.
