MK party insists Zuma has not been expelled from ANC

Former president Jacob Zuma has not been expelled from the ANC, his new uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party has said.

This comes after ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula told an ANC cadre meeting on Sunday that Zuma had “expelled himself” from the ruling party.

Mbalula said the ANC would not take Zuma through disciplinary processes as he was already gone. He said Zuma was in breach of the ANC constitution by opening his own party.

MK spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela told The Citizen Zuma remains a staunch ANC member.

“President JG Zuma stated at the press announcement on 16 December, 2023 that he is still an ANC member and will die a member of the ANC,” he said.

But Ndhlela said Zuma would not be attending the ANC’s January 8th proceedings as the celebrations will be led by ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa.

“As you are aware, [ex-president] Zuma has been invited to attend various meet and greet MK events. President Zuma will not be addressed by ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa that he does not recognise.”

The ANC has been slammed by political analysts for allowing Zuma to campaign for another political party while inside the party. There are fears that if the ANC is seen as taking a hard stance on the Zuma matter, it could lead to further divisions in the ruling party and perhaps sporadic protests.

Launched as the South African Native National Congress on 8 January, 1912 in Bloemfontein, the ANC turned 112 yesterday.

The party will have various activities around Mpumalanga, including a cake-cutting ceremony.

Zuma is the only living former ANC president not expected to attend. It was also not clear if former ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule would be in attendance since being asked to step aside. He has also formed his own party, the African Congress of Transformation.