Reinstate my membership or else: Zuma tells ANC

Share the Article:

Former state president Jacob Zuma and his legal team have served the African National Congress (ANC) with a letter demanding the reinstatement of his membership.

The expulsion comes after Zuma’s endorsement of uMkhonto weSizwe party, the third-largest party in the country which played a significant role in weakening the ANC in the May 29 elections. 

“Zuma’s behaviour exemplifies the highest form of ill-discipline and a direct assault on the historical mission of the ANC. 

“By establishing and leading a rival party, he abandoned the core values of organisational loyalty and collective accountability, converting himself into a tool for destabilisation,” the ANC said in statement at the time.

According to the Jacob Zuma Foundation, the MK party leader’s membership was un-procedurally terminated late last year.

Speaking on behalf of the foundation, spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi said the letter 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).

Manyi said these issues detailed in the attached document, highlight irregularities that they believe an independent legal review would likely find invalid.

“Zuma has requested that the ANC address this matter and announce his reinstatement by January 31. Should this not occur, he may have no choice but to explore legal remedies to protect his constitutional and contractual rights as a loyal member of the ANC for 65 years.

“The letter further notes troubling pronouncements and actions by the ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula, who has reportedly engaged in acts of intimidation, victimisation, and targeted insults against Zuma’s representative, Tony Yengeni.

“Such conduct not only contravenes the ANC constitution but also undermines the integrity of the organisation’s internal processes. Despite these challenges, Yengeni, a disciplined member of the ANC remains committed to representing Zuma in accordance with the principles of fairness and justice.

ALSO READ | Jacob Zuma to appeal his expulsion from ANC

“This matter 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 (FFPlus). These developments vindicate the warnings expressed by Zuma on December 16, 2023,” he expressed.

Manyi stated that the foundation urge the ANC to prioritise fairness, consistency, and adhere to its founding principles, ensuring that all members are protected from selective disciplinary actions or factional vendettas.

He added; “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.

Zuma… a ridiculous Old Man

Reacting to the letter, Mbalula slammed Zuma as “mischievous” further saying his days of misleading South Africans are numbered citing that they [people] would see him for who he is.

“He was engaged by the organisation at various levels and in terms of ANC constitution as its guidance, we’ve acted on Zuma – he’s not a member.

“We are not going to respond because it [letter] seeks to divert us from the 113th-year celebration. He had an opportunity to send his love letter many days ago and he didn’t.

“That is how he works, that’s how he operates. He is a mischievous, uncouth, ridiculous old man who thrives on disunity for his self-interest,” said Mbalula.