Cape Town – Former president Jacob Zuma has been expelled from the ANC for compromising the party’s integrity by aligning with and leading the MK Party.
The ANC’s National Disciplinary Committee found that his actions conflicted with the party’s objectives.
Zuma has 21 days to appeal the decision.
“The charged member is expelled from the ANC,” said a leaked documen dated July 29.
“The charged member has the right to appeal to the National Disciplinary Committee of appeal within 21 days.”
BREAKING:
Former ANC President Jacob Zuma has today been found guilty of collaborating with the MKP by the ANC Disciplinary Committee and has been expelled from the Party. pic.twitter.com/GmlbH3mqNn— Ismail Abramjee (@IsmailAbramjee) July 28, 2024
The ANC suspended Zuma in January after he endorsed the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe (MK).
In the May 29 elections, MK secured third place with 14.5 percent of the vote, impacting the ANC’s performance.
The ANC itself received 40 percent of the vote, its lowest since coming to power three decades ago, holding 58 seats in the 400-seat National Assembly, with the ex-leader now leading MK.
President of the ANC Veterans’ League Snuki Zikalala welcomed Zuma’s expulsion from the ANC, calling it a long-overdue decision for the party and society.
Speaking to Newzrook Afrika, Zikalala criticised Zuma for claiming continued ANC membership despite his actions, including forming his own party and misleading supporters, IOL reported.
“He has worked against the ANC, established his own party and managed to deceive more than two million people by saying he is still a member of the ANC. We welcome the decision to expel him and say if he wants to appeal, let him appeal,” he said.
He said that all members, regardless of status, must adhere to party discipline.
Zikalala acknowledged Zuma’s right to appeal but stressed that due process will be followed.
Zuma joined the ANC via its youth league as a teenager in 1959.
Elected South African president in 2009, Zuma was forced from office in 2018 under the cloud of corruption allegations and was replaced by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The charismatic and outspoken 82-year-old still carries considerable political clout in South Africa, even enjoying support within some factions of the ANC.
Many believed his political career would end when he was sentenced to 15 months in jail in June 2021 after refusing to testify to a panel probing financial corruption and cronyism under his presidency.
His imprisonment triggered riots that sparked South Africa’s worst episode of violence since the fall of apartheid, leaving more than 350 dead.
He spent only two months behind bars and was released for health reasons, after which Ramaphosa commuted his sentence.
A damning 2022 report concluded that Zuma had played a central role in state corruption during his nine-year tenure.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: Facebook/Jacob Zuma
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
Additional reporting by AFP
