Former President Jacob Zuma Expelled from ANC for Supporting Rival Party

South Africa's former President Jacob Zuma has been expelled from the African National Congress (ANC) after campaigning for a rival party in the 29 May general election. The ANC's disciplinary committee found Zuma guilty of "prejudicing the integrity" of the party by joining uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), giving him three weeks to appeal the ruling.

The ANC stated, "His platform is dangerous, appeals to extremist instincts in our body politic, and riles up a political base that may foment social unrest." In contrast, MK described the decision as that of a "kangaroo court," claiming Zuma was not informed.

Zuma, 82, an ANC veteran, fell out with the party after being forced to quit as president in 2018 over corruption scandals, which he denies. He was suspended by the ANC in January after forming MK, now an opposition party in parliament.

MK expressed shock over learning about Zuma's expulsion through media, criticizing the disciplinary process as unfair. The ANC's disciplinary committee held a virtual hearing, which Zuma refused to attend, insisting on being physically present.

At a press conference, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula confirmed Zuma's expulsion and stated that Zuma wanted to turn the event into a rally. Mbalula denied claims that Zuma was uninformed about his expulsion, countering MK's accusation of the process being a "kangaroo court."

Mbalula noted the ANC's unexpected challenge in dealing with a former president campaigning against it. Current President Cyril Ramaphosa replaced Zuma in 2018, pledging to clean up the government. However, the ANC faced its worst result in 30 years in the 29 May elections, forming a coalition to share power.

uMkhonto we Sizwe, meaning "spear of the nation," emerged as the third-largest party, taking votes from the ANC, winning nearly 15% of the vote, and obtaining 58 seats in the 400-member parliament. MK became the official opposition after the second-biggest party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), joined the coalition government.

Zuma was barred from being an MP due to a 15-month prison sentence in 2021 for contempt of court, defying a court order to appear before an inquiry into corruption during his presidency. His arrest led to the deadliest riots since the end of apartheid, resulting in over 300 deaths. Zuma now faces corruption charges over a 1999 arms deal and has chosen an impeached ex-judge to lead MK in parliament.