ANC Suspends Jacob Zuma’s Membership
The national executive committee of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa has announced the summary suspension of former president Jacob Zuma’s membership.
The decision, revealed on Monday, indicates that Zuma will now face disciplinary proceedings before the party’s disciplinary committee.
Local media, citing sources within the committee, report that the move comes in response to Zuma’s public endorsement of the newly established MK party last December.
In a press conference held in Soweto, Zuma declared his intention to campaign and vote for the new political entity, expressing his dissatisfaction with the current leadership of the ANC under President Cyril Ramaphosa.
However, the ANC’s constitution explicitly states that disciplinary proceedings can be initiated against any member or public representative who aligns with or supports an organization or party other than the ANC or its alliance partners, which include Cosatu, the SACP, and Sanco.
Zuma’s departure from the ANC’s party line has set the stage for what could be a contentious disciplinary process within the ANC. The former president, who served as South Africa’s leader from 2009 to 2018, remains a polarizing figure in the country’s politics.
The political landscape in South Africa is poised for heightened tension as the country gears up for its general election scheduled later this year. The ANC, which has been in power since Nelson Mandela’s historic election in 1994, faces a multitude of challenges.
The suspension of Zuma’s membership adds an extra layer of complexity to the political dynamics, as factions within the ANC vie for support and navigate the evolving political landscape.
