ANC’s Ex-President Jacob Zuma Out of Party Following Support for Rival Political Faction

The political landscape of South Africa has seen yet another turbulent turn as Fikile Mbalula, Secretary General of the African National Congress (ANC), announced that the party's illustrious former president, Jacob Zuma, has essentially expelled himself by endorsing the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Political Party, a spin-off group formed by veterans of the ANC's one-time military wing. This declaration came to light during a meeting with ANC members at the Cadres’ Forum in Barberton, located south of Mbombela.

In his speech, Mbalula outlined that no formal disciplinary process would be initiated against Zuma, emphasizing the ANC's position that the former president's actions automatically constituted self-expulsion. According to the party's view, Zuma defected from the ANC principles by offering his support to a newly established political entity that stands in opposition to the ANC.

The ANC's approach towards this unforeseen endorsement reflects the party's strict adherence to organizational unity and discipline. Mbalula underscored that should Zuma have faced concerns with the current leadership's direction or policies, he ought to have addressed them through the appropriate internal channels constituted within the organization, rather than publicly siding with a different political establishment.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Mbalula also revealed that the ANC plans to take legal action to reclaim the uMkhonto weSizwe moniker, which holds significant historical and symbolic weight as the name of the ANC's former armed wing during the apartheid struggle. The move to secure the name illustrates the ANC’s commitment to protecting its organizational heritage and dissuading any misappropriation by other groups.

Jacob Zuma's decision to back the MK party, which he justified with references to his past as a soldier of the disbanded military affiliate, was examined against the backdrop of his discontent with the party’s current leaders. Regardless, his actions have met with criticism from across the spectrum of South Africa’s ruling tripartite alliance, who view such support as a divisive tactic that could potentially fragment the unity and strength of the governing coalition.

The ANC's firm stance reflects a broader landscape of South African politics where alliances and loyalties are tightly controlled and breaches, particularly by such high-profile figures as former presidents, are met with serious implications. As the ANC navigates through this challenge and prepares for potential legal battles, observers and party members alike will be closely watching the unfolding consequences of Zuma's decision on the party dynamics and his own political future.