The African National Congress (ANC) announced on Monday that it has expelled former South African President Jacob Zuma for endorsing a rival party during the parliamentary elections in May.
In January, Zuma was suspended from the ANC after he announced his backing for the newly formed uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) in the general election. He subsequently became MK’s leader and public figure.
Winning around 15% of the vote, MK performed better than anticipated.
This substantial result played a crucial role in the ANC losing its majority for the first time since the apartheid era.
“Jacob Zuma has energetically challenged the guiltlessness of the ANC and campaigned to dislodge the party from power, all while claiming to retain his membership,” ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula informed the media.
“Such conduct is irreconcilable with the spirit of organizational discipline and the letter of the ANC Constitution,” Mbalula added.
In the recent election, the ANC secured 40.18% of the vote, a significant drop from the 57.50% it garnered in 2019, which has led to its first coalition government since ending white minority rule in 1994.
The MK party has emerged as the official opponent.
Earlier on Monday, MK issued a statement in response to media reports about Zuma’s expulsion, criticizing the ANC’s process and condemning the “grave injustices” committed against Zuma.
The statement added, “President Zuma will consult with his legal team to urgently determine the next steps.” The ANC noted that Zuma has 21 days to appeal the decision.
Having presided over South Africa from 2009 to 2018, Zuma’s presidency was marred by corruption controversies and stagnant economic progress.
Since his resignation as party leader in 2018, he has had ongoing disputes with the ANC’s current leadership and has persistently attacked his successor, President Cyril Ramaphosa.
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