Former South African President Jacob Zuma has been expelled from the African National Congress (ANC), the party he once led.
The decision comes after Zuma campaigned for a rival party, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), in the recent general election.
The ANC’s disciplinary committee found Zuma guilty of “prejudicing the integrity” of the party. He has been given three weeks to appeal the ruling. This expulsion follows Zuma’s suspension from the ANC in January after he created MK.
“His platform is dangerous, appeals to extremist instincts in our body politic and riles up a political base that may foment social unrest,” the ANC said in a statement.
Mr Zuma, 82, was an ANC veteran but fell out with the party after he was forced to quit as president in 2018 over corruption scandals. He has always denied any wrongdoing.
He had been suspended by the ANC in January after creating MK, which now sits in opposition to the ANC-led government in parliament.
MK, now the third-largest party in parliament, has criticized the decision, claiming Zuma wasn’t properly informed and calling the process a “kangaroo court.” The ANC, however, maintains that due process was followed.
In a statement, MK said it was shocked to learn from media reports that Mr Zuma had been expelled.
The disciplinary proceedings were conducted “in a manner akin to a kangaroo court”, the party said.
“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,” it added.
The ANC’s disciplinary committee held a virtual hearing, which Mr Zuma refused to attend, saying he wanted to be physically present.
At a press conference confirming Mr Zuma’s expulsion, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said the party had refused to agree to Mr Zuma’s presence at the party’s headquarters as he “wanted a rally”.
“Even when they [MK supporters] were told that the disciplinary hearing was virtual they still came here. So it tells you that Jacob Zuma wanted a movie,” he added.
Mr Mbalula denied that Mr Zuma had not been informed of his expulsion.
“[The] kangaroo court is that MK. Who are they to lecture people about a due process?,” Mr Mbalula said.
This development comes amid ongoing legal troubles for Zuma, including corruption charges related to a 1999 arms deal. It also reflects broader political shifts in South Africa, with the ANC suffering its worst election result in 30 years.
The expulsion marks a significant break between the ANC and its former leader, highlighting deep divisions within South African politics.
