Cape Town – Former president Jacob Zuma is reportedly taking legal action to challenge his expulsion from the African National Congress (ANC), seeking reinstatement as a member.
According to The Citizen, Zuma argues that the ANC’s disciplinary process was unlawful and has filed an application against President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC to have the decision overturned.
His new party, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), supports his bid and asserts the ANC’s actions were politically motivated and in betrayal of the Freedom Charter.
“President Zuma is on record saying that his membership of the real ANC of Luthuli, Tambo and Mandela cannot be erased by sell-outs and DA puppets like Ramaphosa and Mbalula,” the report quoted MK party national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela as saying.
“It was indeed the sell-out tendencies of these traitors which led to the formation of the MK Party on 16 December 2023 and the removal of the ANC from power five months later in the May 2024 elections.
Zuma, who was expelled in July 2023 for forming the MK party and not supporting the ANC, had previously threatened legal action.
His lawyers cite procedural flaws and intimidation during the disciplinary process.
“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’s argued at the time.
🔴Zuma’s Lawyers Send Mbalula, Legal Letter🔴
The legal team of former President Jacob Zuma has written to the SG of the ANC Fikile Mbalula. The letter states
1- Expulsion of Zuma was illegal
2-Failure to grant Zuma permission to lead evidence was illegalRead More Below ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/dy5pXFkbhI
— The Insight Factor (@insightfactor) January 8, 2025
But ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that all due processes were followed in the expulsion of Zuma.
“Disciplinary processes in the ANC have been conducted, done and dusted. So, I have not seen the letter but all I can say is that we’ve followed due process and the secretary general (Fikile Mbalula) has been absolutely proper and correct in the way that he has led the interpretation and execution of our constitution.
“So, we will read the letter as we should and we will also take a view of the letter, but the disciplinary processes have been done in accordance with our constitution,” Ramaphosa said at the time.
ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa said all due processes to expel former president Jacob Zuma were followed according to the party’s constitution. #JacobZuma #CyrilRamaphosa #ANC Vid: SABC @TheCitizen_News pic.twitter.com/C1hTmHyo01
— 𝙵𝚊𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚕 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕 ⚡️ (@FaizelPatel143) January 9, 2025
The MK party’s constitution allows for dual membership under special circumstances, and Zuma reportedly still sees himself as part of the “real” ANC, stating he would “die in the ANC”.
The ANC maintains that Zuma’s expulsion was justified due to his counter-revolutionary actions.
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Source: AFP
