Former President Jacob Zuma has been expelled from the very party he once led. Yes, you read that right – Jacob Zuma has been shown the door by the African National Congress (ANC).
ANC’s Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, confirmed Zuma’s expulsion this afternoon after a draft document from the ANC’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) was leaked to the public.
Zuma has been found guilty of “prejudicing the integrity” of the party. His crime? Campaigning for the rival uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party during the 29 May general election.
The disciplinary committee laid out two specific charges against Zuma which violate the ANC constitution:
- Contravening Rule 25.17.17.4: This rule states that an ANC member cannot act on behalf of or collaborate with a political organisation or party other than those in alliance with the ANC. Zuma violated this rule by endorsing and actively campaigning for MK, a party formed in opposition to the ANC-led government.
- Contravening Rule 25.17.13: This rule prohibits ANC members from joining or supporting a political organisation or party that is not in alliance with the ANC. Zuma’s open support and leadership role in MK, which secured 58 seats in the 400-member parliament, clearly violated this provision.
Mbalula didn’t mince words during the disciplinary hearing. He appeared as a key witness for the ANC and laid out Zuma’s transgressions dating back to 16 December, when Zuma publicly declared he would not be campaigning for the ANC in the 2024 elections. Mbalula testified that Zuma’s actions were designed to dislodge the ANC and mobilise society against it. “The charged member defined himself outside the ANC,” said Mbalula. In a final blow, Mbalula stated that Zuma “was not capable of being rehabilitated and should be expelled.”
The disciplinary proceedings, however, were far from smooth. In true Zuma fashion, he refused to attend the virtual disciplinary hearing, insisting on being physically present – perhaps forgetting that even in politics, sometimes you just have to hit the “join meeting” button. Instead, Zuma’s defence team is up in arms about the fairness of the process. MK spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela stated, it is a “foundational legal principle” that no person should be punished or sentenced to a crime in their absence, no matter the seriousness of said crime. Ndhlela also questioned why the decision was leaked before the MK party was informed.
Let’s not forget, this is the same Jacob Zuma who was jailed for contempt of court (failing to show up) in 2021, sparking a violent wave of riots and unrest in Durban, that led to the death of more than 300 people.
The ANC has officially confirmed the expulsion and MK is crying foul, calling the proceedings a “kangaroo court.” Tony Yengeni, Zuma’s representative, added fuel to the fire by accusing Mbalula of intimidation via text messages. Yengeni, a seasoned ANC veteran himself, claimed that Mbalula sent a series of threatening messages to Zuma in the days leading up to the disciplinary hearing. These messages allegedly warned Zuma of severe consequences if he did not cease his activities with MK. Yengeni presented these messages as evidence during the hearing, arguing that they demonstrated a clear bias and a predetermined outcome against Zuma.
Five out of seven of the NDC voted in favour of Zuma’s expulsion. Zuma now has 21 days to appeal the decision.
MK is already rallying around their embattled leader, accusing the ANC of President Cyril Ramaphosa of trying to undermine Zuma. “We can only confirm this as an act that appears to be a deliberate attempt by the ANC of Ramaphosa to undermine [former] president Zuma,” said Ndhlela.
Comparisons to Julius Malema’s expulsion are inevitable. Malema, who was suspended for five years from the ANC in 2011, also found himself ousted by a disciplinary committee. The similarities are striking, but will the outcomes be the same?
By the way: In related news, ANC MP Zizi Kodwa has resigned from parliament after facing corruption charges. Labour federation Cosatu, a key alliance partner of the ANC, has welcomed the resignation, calling his deployment to the National Assembly “poorly thought through and ill-considered.” Kodwa resigned as sport, arts & culture minister in June after his arrest and court appearance on charges of receiving bribes amounting to R1.6 million. Looks like the ANC is on a mission to clean house — at this rate, they might start charging rent for the empty seats.
As the situation continues to unfold, all eyes are on the ANC leadership and their next steps. In the ever-volatile landscape of South African politics, one thing is certain: Jacob Zuma is not a man who goes quietly into the night.
