Johannesburg – The ANC kicked off disciplinary hearings against former president Jacob Zuma on Wednesday that could result in his expulsion for leading a rival group into elections in May.
The African National Congress suspended the scandal-tainted ex-leader in January, a month after he endorsed the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe (MK).
Zuma is accused of contravening the ANC constitution by campaigning for a rival party while still a member.
MK cut into the ANC’s share of votes in the May 29 elections, taking third place with 14.5 percent.
The ruling party managed 40 percent – its weakest score since it came to power three decades ago.
Zuma was not present at the first hearing, which was held virtually and closed to the public.
His representative, former ANC stalwart Tony Yengeni, told the hearing that Zuma wanted to appear in person, MK said in a statement.
He also wanted the proceedings to be opened to the public, it said.
The hearing was adjourned to July 23.
Despite preferring a physical and public hearing, Zuma’s request for postponement was accepted to allow time for a pre-hearing conference, a statement said.
“Umkhonto WeSizwe is pleased to learn from president Zuma that he has received a very positive report from his representative Cde Tony Yengeni indicating that everything went well at the ANC Disciplinary Committee hearing which ended earlier this afternoon,” the statement read
Thank you, Comrade Tony Yengeni, for representing President Jacob Zuma, who wants physical hearing the Anc of Ramaphosa wants virtual hearing .
Ama gwala aseya tatazela 🤣🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/W1j7rBE1bU
— MK Party (@KingMntungwa) July 17, 2024
“Cde Yengeni attended the virtual meeting alone to convey the clear message that President Zuma prefers a physical hearing as previously agreed between himself and the ANC and as per the provisions of the ANC constitution.
“…Secondly, he applied for a postponement to a future date when such a physical hearing can be convened.”
The MK party expressed satisfaction with the outcome and emphasised the importance of transparency in the process.
The party also said that Zuma was pleased with the postponement.
“President Zuma is very happy to have been granted this opportunity.
“Naturally, in the meantime he will consult with his representative and other relevant stakeholders before making a decision on the next course of action.
“Until then he remains of the strongest view that, in these exceptional circumstances, the hearing should not only be physical but that it should also be opened up to the public, said the MK party.
Elected South African president in 2009, Zuma was forced from office in 2018 under a cloud of corruption allegations. He was replaced by his long-term rival, President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The emergence of the MK caused shockwaves in South Africa, with the party taking the name “uMkhonto weSizwe” and logo from the ANC’s now-disbanded apartheid-era military wing.
The ANC led South Africa to the defeat of white-minority rule and the first democratic election in 1994.
At the May elections, MK won 58 lawmakers in the 400-seat National Assembly.
But Zuma, who now leads the party, has been barred from serving as an MP because of a 2021 conviction for contempt of court, when he refused to testify at an investigation into financial corruption and cronyism under his presidency.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
Additional reporting by AFP
