Cape Town — African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has described former President Jacob Zuma as “mischievous” after his attempts to seek reinstatement into the party.
Zuma and his legal team sent a letter to Mbalula claiming that his expulsion from the ANC violated both the party’s constitution and the Constitution of South Africa.
“We are instructed to inform you that the aforesaid expulsion was illegal and/or in breach of both the ANC Constitution and/or the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa for various grounds,” his lawyers KMNS Attorney’s argued.
They further stated that if the issue is not resolved by January 31, Zuma will pursue all legal avenues to defend his rights.
JUST IN: Former President Jacob Zuma is demanding the re-instatement of his ANC membership. Attorneys representing Zuma say the MK party leader’s membership from the party was unprocedurally terminated last year.
This statement by the JG Zuma foundation comes as the ANC… pic.twitter.com/n4BiXCnqAf
— Kaya News (@KayaNews) January 8, 2025
In response to Zuma’s letter, Mbalula did not hold back, describing the uMkhonto weSizwe leader as a “mischievous old man.”
Mbalula also said that the ANC would not engage with Zuma or respond to the letter.
“Well, Zuma’s letter is mischievous… because he was engaged by the organisation as various levels. And in terms of the ANC constitution, we have acted on Zuma. He is not a member. And we are not going to respond to any other thing because it seeks to divert us from this occasion of our 113th year.
[WATCH] ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula dares former president Jacob Zuma to take the party to court over his demand to have his membership reinstated. “Zuma’s letter is a mischief. We are not going to respond.” #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/RFXYnaDP7J
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) January 8, 2025
“He had an opportunity to send his love letter many days ago. He didn’t, but he chose this day. That’s how he works, that’s how he operates. Mischievous, uncouth, ridiculous old man who basically thrives on disunity for his own self-interest. That’s what he does. He doesn’t serve South Africa, he doesn’t serve the ANC, he doesn’t serve our people. He serves himself and only himself. That’s what he is,” Mbalula said.
He added: “His days of misleading our people are numbered because they will see him for who he is, right from that [political party] he has created, they will see. He’s a liar, he’s unreliable, he only serves himself. He’s not a friend to anybody but he’s a friend to himself. The ANC will treat him with the same intensity of who he is going forward.”
Mbalula dared Zuma to take the ANC to court.
“There’s nothing to respond to that letter. He must take us to court, he must do whatever he thinks is of importance to himself. We know his shenanigans, we knew his game plan. We have followed the constitution to the letter. We’ll defend the integrity of our movement.”
[WATCH] The Zuma letter is mischief by the old man, and we will treat it as such. #ANC113#ANCeKapa#ThePeoplesMovement pic.twitter.com/lia86oSxuZ
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) January 8, 2025
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: X/@MbalulaFikile
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Matthew Petersen
