ANC appeal body confirms Jacob Zuma’s expulsion

Former President Jacob Zuma is no longer a member of the African National Congress (ANC).

He was officially expelled from the ANC on Friday.

This follows the party’s national disciplinary committee of appeal’s decision upholding his earlier expulsion for endorsing and leading the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.

Appeal denied

ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri confirmed the former president’s expulsion.

“This decision reaffirms the ANC commitment to revolutionary morality, revolutionary discipline, and democratic centralism.”

Bhengu-Motsiri said as a former president of the ANC, he was expected to “embody the highest standards of disciplined leadership” for all members of the party and society.

“Discipline is a core foundation of our movement, ensuring unity of purpose and unity in action. It is during testing moments of trial and challenge that the most advanced cadres are distinguished by their unwavering commitment to the principles which have held this movement together, respect for organisational processes, and loyalty to the collective decisions of the movement.

“Mr Zuma’s behaviour exemplifies the highest form of ill-discipline and a direct assault on the historical mission of the ANC,” Bhengu-Motsiri said.

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‘Zuma undermining unity’

Motsiri-Bhengu said the ANC’s traditions do not call for unity for its own sake, devoid of critical reflection, engagement, and accountability.

She said the selfless commitment to the NDR [National Democratic Revolution] “demands that cadres place the collective movement and its processes above their ambitions, and organisational discipline compels adherence to the movement’s decisions, even in the face of adversity.”

“His actions have undermined the unity and cohesion of the movement at a time when it is critical to consolidate and push forward with organisational renewal and confront the pressing challenges facing South Africa.

“This severe breach of our organisational foundation necessitated his expulsion to safeguard the ANC’s integrity and ensure that the unity of the organisation remains in form and content,” Bhengu-Motsiri said.

Zuma appealed his expulsion from the ANC in October.

Expulsion

The ANC officially cut ties with the MK party leader in July after the party’s national disciplinary committee (NDC) resolved to expel him following a disciplinary hearing held on 23 July in his absence.

The party accused the former president of contravening rule 25 of the party’s constitution by forming the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party in December last year.

Zuma ‘dying in ANC’

While Zuma may now be a card-carrying member and leader of the MK party, he reneged on his comments in May when he said he would “die in the ANC”.

“I’ve sacrificed my life. I was ready to die. I went to prison. I went to exile and some of the people who are leading – they don’t even know what exile is all about. They don’t know, they’ve never been in prison.

“I have contributed to this ANC. If you listen to my terminology, I said I will die in the ANC,” Zuma said while acknowledging that he is a member of the MK party.

During Zuma’s tenure as president, he was found to be in breach of the Constitution.

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