Jacob Zuma appeals his expulsion from ANC! Former South African president Jacob Zuma will face the African National Congress’s (ANC) National Disciplinary Committee of Appeals on Friday, seeking reinstatement in the party after his expulsion in July.
The appeal hearing, scheduled to take place virtually, follows Zuma’s demand for a physical session. The outcome will determine whether the former president will be readmitted to the ANC, from which he was expelled after endorsing the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP).
Background: Zuma’s Expulsion from the ANC
In July, the ANC’s National Disciplinary Committee took the step of expelling Zuma, citing his violation of Rule 25 of the ANC’s constitution. This rule prohibits members from supporting rival political parties, yet Zuma openly backed the MKP, an organization he officially launched in December 2023.
By lending support to the MKP, Zuma was seen as undermining his former party and its leadership under President Cyril Ramaphosa. Following his expulsion, Zuma was granted 21 days to appeal, a right he has since exercised in an effort to overturn the decision.
The Launch of the MKP and the ANC’s Reaction
On December 16, 2023, Zuma inaugurated the MKP in Soweto, Johannesburg, during the anniversary celebration of uMkhonto weSizwe, the ANC’s historic military wing. The MKP launch took place at the same time the ANC was commemorating the 62nd anniversary of uMkhonto weSizwe, a reminder of its liberation movement roots.
During his speech, Zuma criticized the current ANC leadership, stating that his loyalty now lay with the MKP rather than with the ANC under Ramaphosa.
“I cannot and will not campaign for the ANC of Ramaphosa,” Zuma declared at the launch, implying that today’s ANC has strayed from the values held by past leaders such as Albert Luthuli, Oliver Tambo, and Nelson Mandela. Despite this, Zuma maintained that he considered himself an ANC member, a statement that has added complexity to his appeal.
The Foundation’s Statement and the Push for a Public Hearing
On Thursday, the Jacob Zuma Foundation issued a statement detailing Zuma’s expectations for the appeal. According to the foundation, Zuma’s representative, Tony Yengeni, has been instructed to request a public and physical hearing as the first order of business.
The foundation emphasized the importance of a transparent process to allow Zuma to present his objections to the July expulsion ruling fully.
There are also other preliminary objections that Zuma’s team wants resolved before any discussion of the appeal’s merits, which they argue should be openly deliberated. This insistence on a public session underscores Zuma’s confidence that his support for the MKP does not merit expulsion and raises questions about ANC internal processes.
ANC Secretary-General Responds to the Appeal
Ahead of the appeal, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula made it clear that the party intends to stand by its decision to expel Zuma. “Zuma remains expelled from the ANC,” Mbalula asserted earlier this week, signaling that the ANC leadership is prepared to uphold the disciplinary committee’s original ruling.
The party sees Zuma’s endorsement of the MKP as a divisive act that threatens ANC unity, especially as the MKP aims to draw discontented members away from the ANC ahead of the May 2029 national elections.
Political Ramifications and Analyst Perspectives
Political analyst Thabani Khumalo sees Zuma’s fight as a multi-faceted strategy. “This is two-pronged,” Khumalo explains, suggesting that Zuma’s actions are intended to appeal to ANC members dissatisfied with the current leadership.
Zuma’s move could be seen as rallying those who feel alienated by the Ramaphosa administration, offering the MKP as an alternative that upholds the ANC’s original values.
Khumalo also interprets Zuma’s appeal as part of a larger struggle for influence within the ANC, even from outside its formal structures. “He is still fighting to reclaim the ANC from Ramaphosa’s faction,” Khumalo notes, adding that Zuma’s faction, marginalized after losing key elective battles, is determined to remain a powerful force.
The current appeal and the formation of the MKP represent Zuma’s continued commitment to exerting influence over ANC supporters.
Future of the ANC and the MKP
The outcome of Zuma’s appeal will have far-reaching implications for both the ANC and the MKP. Should Zuma be reinstated, it could indicate a shift in the ANC’s handling of dissent and potentially soften the impact of the MKP as an opposition force.
However, if his expulsion is upheld, the MKP might gain traction among ANC supporters who feel alienated from the party’s current leadership.
Ultimately, Zuma’s ongoing battle to maintain his ANC membership while promoting the MKP signals a complex power struggle within South Africa’s political landscape. The appeal decision will shape not only Zuma’s political future but also the future of both the ANC and the MKP as the nation approaches critical elections in 2029.
The post Jacob Zuma appeals his expulsion from ANC appeared first on News365.co.za.
Zim Instantly via Simplex Solutions