Former South African President Jacob Zuma has been expelled from the African National Congress (ANC) after campaigning for a rival party during the May 29 general election, according to local media reports. The ANC’s disciplinary committee found Zuma guilty of undermining the party’s integrity by aligning with uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) and has given him three weeks to appeal the decision, based on a leaked ANC document.
While the ANC has not officially confirmed the expulsion, MK has stated that Zuma has not been notified of the decision, which they describe as the result of a “kangaroo court.”
Jacob Zuma, 82, was a long-time ANC veteran but fell out with the party following his resignation as president in 2018 amid corruption scandals, allegations he has consistently denied. In January, he was suspended from the ANC after founding MK, which now opposes the ANC-led government in parliament.
MK expressed shock at the expulsion reports, criticizing the disciplinary proceedings as unfair. “It is a foundational legal principle that no person, not even those accused of a serious crime, should be punished or sentenced in their absence,” the party stated. Zuma had refused to attend the virtual disciplinary hearing, insisting on a physical presence.
Zuma was jailed in 2021 for contempt of court after failing to cooperate with a corruption inquiry related to his presidency. His arrest led to widespread riots, resulting in over 300 deaths. He also faces ongoing corruption charges from a 1999 arms deal.
Current President Cyril Ramaphosa succeeded Zuma in 2018, with a mandate to clean up government. However, in the May 29 elections, the ANC experienced its worst result in 30 years, necessitating a coalition to maintain power. MK, or “spear of the nation,” emerged as the third-largest party, securing almost 15% of the vote and 58 seats in the 400-member parliament. Zuma claims the election results were rigged and has called for the results to be annulled.
Following the election, MK announced plans to join an opposition alliance in parliament.
