Former South African President Jacob Zuma Expelled from ANC by National Disciplinary Committee

Former President Jacob Zuma has been expelled from the African National Congress (ANC), the party he once led, following his involvement with the rival party uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) during the 29 May general election.

The ANC's disciplinary committee found Zuma guilty of "prejudicing the integrity" of the party by campaigning for MK. Zuma has three weeks to appeal the ruling, which has already drawn significant controversy. MK has vehemently opposed the decision, labeling the disciplinary proceedings as conducted by a "kangaroo court."

In a statement, MK expressed its shock, noting that Zuma had not been officially notified of the expulsion. The party emphasised the principle that no individual, even those accused of serious crimes, should be punished in their absence. Zuma who is 82 years old, chose not to attend the virtual disciplinary hearing, insisting on being physically present.

Zuma's expulsion marks the culmination of a long-standing feud with the ANC, beginning when he was forced to resign as president in 2018 amidst multiple corruption scandals—allegations he has consistently denied. Earlier this year, Zuma was suspended from the ANC after creating MK, which now stands in opposition to the ANC-led government in parliament.

MK has gained significant traction, emerging as South Africa’s third-largest party by securing almost 15% of the vote in the 29 May elections and obtaining 58 seats in the 400-member parliament. This shift forced the ANC into a coalition government, marking its worst election result in three decades.

The controversy surrounding Zuma continues to ripple through South African politics. In 2021, he was jailed for contempt of court for refusing to cooperate with an inquiry into corruption during his presidency, sparking deadly riots that resulted in over 300 deaths. He currently faces additional corruption charges related to a 1999 arms deal.

South Africa's current president, Cyril Ramaphosa, who succeeded Zuma in 2018 with promises of government reform, now contends with the fallout from the ANC's diminished support and the rising influence of MK.

Adding to the controversy, Zuma has appointed an impeached ex-judge to lead MK in parliament. As Zuma is barred from being an MP due to his prison sentence for contempt of court, his political maneuvers and the unfolding drama within the ANC continue to captivate the nation. The ANC and the broader South African political landscape now face a critical juncture as they navigate these turbulent developments.