Former president Jacob Zuma, who was once a prominent figure in the African National Congress (ANC), has recently faced expulsion from the party he once led. The decision to expel Zuma was upheld by the ANC’s national disciplinary committee of appeal, following the party’s national disciplinary committee’s initial decision.
Zuma’s expulsion comes after he launched a breakaway party called Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) last December while still claiming to be a member of the ANC. This move proved successful as the MK party managed to secure 14% of the vote in the recent elections, leading to a shift in parliamentary majority from the ANC, which had held it since 1994.
The ANC cited Zuma’s behavior as the “highest form of ill-discipline” and a direct attack on the historical mission of the party. By establishing and leading a rival political party, Zuma was seen as abandoning the core values of organizational loyalty and collective accountability, thereby destabilizing the ANC.
ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri emphasized that Zuma’s actions undermined the unity and cohesion of the party, especially during a critical time for organizational renewal and addressing the challenges facing South Africa. The decision to expel Zuma was deemed necessary to safeguard the integrity and unity of the ANC.
The expulsion reaffirmed the ANC’s commitment to revolutionary morality, discipline, and democratic centralism. It also served as a reminder that no individual is greater than the movement, and the party’s strength lies in its collective leadership and dedication to the aspirations of the people.
Despite his expulsion, Zuma maintained that he remains a party member and formed the MK party to “save” the ANC from its current leadership. However, the MK party’s status as the official opposition in parliament and KwaZulu-Natal raised questions about Zuma’s intentions.
The MK party spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, did not provide a comment on the matter when approached for a response. The expulsion of Zuma reflects the ANC’s stance on maintaining discipline, unity, and its commitment to serving the people of South Africa.
