South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) has officially confirmed the permanent expulsion of former President Jacob Zuma, a towering figure in the nation’s struggle against apartheid.
The decision, finalized on Friday, follows accusations of his leadership role in a rival political group and signals a historic severance with a man who shaped both the triumphs and turmoil of the ANC.
A Definitive Break
The ANC rejected Zuma’s appeal against his initial expulsion, which was announced in July 2024.
The party accused the former president of undermining its integrity by leading the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) political movement.
This group, an offshoot of the ANC’s former armed wing, contested the May 2024 general elections, a move the ANC described as a betrayal.
“Former President Jacob Zuma actively undermined the ANC’s integrity and campaigned to unseat the ANC from power while insisting he remained a member.
His actions are incompatible with the spirit of organizational discipline and the constitution of the ANC,” stated Fikile Mbalula, the party’s secretary-general.
The ANC’s expulsion of Zuma reflects deeper political fractures.
The rival MK party’s emergence dealt a significant blow to the ANC, contributing to its historic loss of a parliamentary majority.
For the first time, the ANC secured only 40% of the vote, forcing it into a coalition with opposition parties.
A Legacy of Contradictions
Zuma’s expulsion closes a significant chapter in the ANC’s storied history. Joining the ANC in 1959 during the height of apartheid, he became a key figure in its liberation struggle.
His rise to the presidency in 2009 marked the culmination of decades of activism.
However, his presidency was marred by allegations of corruption, culminating in his resignation in 2018 before the end of his term.
Despite these controversies, Zuma remains a polarizing yet popular figure, commanding loyalty from segments of the ANC and broader South African society.
His expulsion severs ties with one of the ANC’s last living connections to its anti-apartheid heritage.
As the ANC navigates an uncertain future, Zuma’s departure underscores the challenges facing a party long synonymous with South Africa’s liberation but now grappling with internal divisions and waning public support.
