ANC appeals panel upholds Zuma’s expulsion

Zuma was suspended from the party in January, a month after he endorsed the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe party ahead of May’s general election.

The National Disciplinary Committee of the ANC decided to expel him after finding him guilty of establishing and campaigning for the MK party.

He formed the party in December while still a member of the ANC.

Zuma was given the opportunity to appeal the decision, but the ANC upheld the expulsion, citing his breach of the party’s core values, including loyalty and collective responsibility.

Party spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri pointed out that Zuma’s actions demonstrated a break with the ANC’s core principles.

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

“Discipline is a basic foundation of our movement, ensuring unity of purpose and unity in action.

“In times of trial and challenge, the most advanced cadres are distinguished by their unwavering commitment to the principles that have held this movement together, respect for organizational processes, and loyalty to the collective decisions of the movement.

“Mr Zuma’s behavior exemplifies the highest form of ill-discipline and a direct attack on the historic mission of the ANC.

“By establishing and leading a rival political party, he abandoned the core values ​​of organizational loyalty and collective responsibility, turning himself into an instrument of destabilization,” Bhengu-Motsiri said.

Bhengu-Motsiri said that as a former president of the ANC, he expected Zuma to embody the highest standards of disciplined leadership.

“Instead, his actions have undermined the unity and cohesion of the movement at a time when it is essential to strengthen and move forward with organizational renewal and confront the pressing challenges facing South Africa.

“This serious breach of our organizational foundation necessitated his expulsion to protect the integrity of the ANC and to ensure that the unity of the organization remains in form and content.

“Unity is not a given, it is achieved in active struggle and built on the disciplined collective actions of conscious actions by leaders and members alike. The ANC will never allow an individual, regardless of stature or historical contribution, to undermine its mission to build a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society,” she said.

During the May elections, the MK party posed a direct challenge to the ANC by appealing to voters disillusioned with the party’s leadership.

This split in support contributed to the ANC losing significant seats in parliament, weakening its dominance in the political landscape.

Due to the ANC’s loss of power, it was forced into a government of national unity with other political parties.

Zuma’s actions to form a rival political party while still a member of the ANC were seen as undermining party unity.

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