Jacob Zuma’s Legal Battle Looms Over ANC Expulsion

Former South African President Jacob Zuma, now leading the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), may take the ANC to court following his expulsion earlier this year.

The ANC’s National Disciplinary Committee of Appeal recently upheld the initial decision to expel Zuma permanently. This marks a dramatic chapter in Zuma’s decades-long relationship with the party.

Zuma, a political heavyweight who joined the ANC at 16 and served as its president from 2007 to 2017, faced expulsion in July for actively promoting the MKP, which he endorsed last December.

His brother, Khanya Zuma, commented on the situation, expressing uncertainty over whether legal action was imminent. He emphasized Zuma’s dedication to preserving the ANC’s legacy.

Khanya, now with MKP, attributed Zuma’s resolve to his belief that the ANC risks destruction under current leadership. He described Zuma as relentless in defending the party he served for most of his life.

A close confidant of Zuma revealed plans to challenge the expulsion in court, with President Cyril Ramaphosa expected to be named as the primary respondent. The ally insisted Zuma is determined to reclaim his ANC membership.

Political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe viewed Zuma’s actions as a calculated strategy to highlight the shortcomings of the current ANC leadership. He argued that Zuma’s presence forces comparisons with Ramaphosa’s administration.

Under Ramaphosa, Seepe noted, the ANC has faced significant challenges, including struggles to pay its staff. Despite recent resolutions, these issues have left a lasting impression on party members.

Seepe also suggested that Zuma’s legal maneuvers could aid MKP’s recruitment efforts, appealing to dissatisfied ANC members. The MKP’s growing influence is evident in its electoral performance.

In the May 29 elections, MKP secured 14% of the national vote and 45% in KwaZulu-Natal, overtaking the ANC as the largest party in the province. Meanwhile, the ANC’s share plummeted to 40%.

Dr. Ongama Mtika, another political analyst, critiqued Zuma’s continued fight for ANC membership, calling it illogical. He argued that promoting MKP inherently contradicts ANC values and exacerbates internal divisions.

Mtika characterized Zuma’s actions as reflective of denialism, highlighting the irony of his efforts to remain in the ANC while leading a rival party. The divisions, he added, are undermining the party’s democratic era.

Zuma’s expulsion has intensified scrutiny of the ANC’s decline, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, where MKP’s surge underscores shifting political allegiances. These developments signal deeper challenges for South Africa’s ruling party.

The ANC, led by Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, linked its electoral losses to internal fragmentation and Zuma’s promotion of MKP. This tension could shape South Africa’s political landscape in the coming years.

The Zim Bulletin