South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma has been expelled from the African National Congress (ANC), the party he once led, following his campaign for uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) in the 29 May general election.
The ANC’s disciplinary committee found Zuma guilty of “prejudicing the integrity” of the party and has given him three weeks to appeal the decision.
The ANC criticized Zuma’s actions, describing his platform as “dangerous” and claiming it could incite social unrest.
In response, MK condemned the expulsion as a decision from a “kangaroo court” and claimed Zuma was not properly informed.
Zuma, 82, a veteran of the ANC who was forced to resign as president in 2018 amid corruption scandals—allegations he denies—had been suspended from the ANC in January for creating MK, which now opposes the ANC-led government.
MK expressed surprise at the expulsion news, learned via media reports, and criticized the virtual nature of the disciplinary proceedings Zuma refused to attend, insisting he wanted to be present physically.
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula defended the process, stating Zuma’s demand for a physical presence was an attempt to turn the hearing into a spectacle.
Mbalula dismissed MK’s criticism, asserting that the ANC had to address a former president campaigning against the party.
Since Zuma’s departure, the ANC has faced its worst election results in three decades, leading to a coalition government.
MK, now South Africa’s third-largest party with nearly 15% of the vote and 58 parliamentary seats, has become the official opposition following the Democratic Alliance’s coalition with the ruling party.
Zuma, barred from being an MP due to a 15-month prison sentence for contempt of court and facing ongoing corruption charges related to a 1999 arms deal, has appointed a former judge, impeached for gross misconduct, to lead MK in parliament.
Source-BBC
