Jacob Zuma demands to be reinstated as an ANC member

Former President Jacob Zuma has demanded the reinstatement of his African National Congress (ANC) membership.

Zuma’s lawyers have written to ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula on Wednesday, saying his expulsion as a member of the party was “unlawful”.

It comes as the ANC celebrates its 113th birthday on Wednesday.

In a letter dated 8 January, the lawyers said Zuma will pursue legal action if the ANC fails to address his concerns and reinstate him by 31 January 2025.

“We are instructed to inform you that the aforesaid expulsion was illegal and/or in breach of both the ANC Constitution and/or the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa for various grounds,” his lawyers KMNS Attorney argued.

‘Procedural concerns’

The lawyer’s letter further outlines significant procedural and substantive concerns regarding the processes undertaken by the ANC’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) and the National Disciplinary Committee of Appeal (NDCA).

“The failure and/or refusal of the ANC to accede to the requirement to hold the disciplinary process and/or the appeal hearing physically, more so after having agreed to do so but inexplicably somersaulting on the said agreement;

“The failure and/or refusal to hold the process in public; the failure and/or refusal to postpone the NDC hearing when it was legally bound to do so,” the letter said.

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‘Intimidation’

The letter further notes pronouncements and actions by Mbalula, who has reportedly engaged in acts of “intimidation, victimisation, and targeted insults” against Zuma’s representative Tony Yengeni whose “only sin” was to represent the former president.

“Mr Mbalula also unduly interfered with the independent and current decision of the NDC to hold a physical hearing.

“The victimisation of Mr Yengeni continues to date with the obvious aim of depriving President Zuma his rights contained in the ANC Constitution and his political rights enshrined in the Constitution of South Africa,” the lawyers argued.

‘Beyond individual grievances’

The Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi said Zuma’s demand to be reinstated extends “beyond individual grievances, reflecting deeper concerns about the ANC’s current trajectory”.

“There is a growing perception that the organisation is being led by individuals whose actions resemble those of askaris, undermining the movement’s historic mission.

“The alarming trend of selling the organisation’s core principles to the highest bidder has been vividly demonstrated by the so-called government of national unity (GNU) coalition with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus). These developments vindicate the warnings expressed by H.E. President Zuma on 16 December 2023,” Manyi said.

Demands

The foundation has urged the ANC to prioritise “fairness, consistency, and adherence to its founding principles, ensuring that all members are protected from selective disciplinary actions or factional vendettas”.

“This case is not simply about one individual — it is about safeguarding the rights of all ANC members and preserving the values that have sustained the organisation for over a century. We remain hopeful that justice and fairness will prevail.”

Expulsion

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

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

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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