Ex-president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, was just kicked out of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party for leading a rival party into elections after disciplinary proceedings.

The defection of Zuma was a crucial factor in the African National Congress losing its absolute parliamentary majority for the first time in May. The party said that Zuma's actions were "irreconcilable" with the party's constitution.

During a press conference, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula said, "Former President Jacob Zuma has actively impugned the integrity of the ANC and campaigned to dislodge the ANC from power while claiming that he had not yet severed his membership," adding that he was "expelled" from the party.

After the scandal-plagued former leader embraced the recently established uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), the ANC suspended him for the first time in January.

In the May 29 elections, MK reduced the ANC's vote share, finishing in third place with 14.5%.

In the May election, the ANC received 40% of the vote, which is the lowest percentage since it took power thirty years prior to overthrowing the apartheid regime.

It was compelled by the outcome to join forces with nine other parties to create a coalition government. MK, who has 58 legislators in the 400-seat National Assembly, is leading the opposition after being excluded.

The radical leftist and populist party MK first contested the election results.

Related News

South Africa casts diplomatic immunity on BRICS summit attendees

"His [MK] platform is dangerous, appeals to extremist instincts in our body politic and riles up a political base that may foment social unrest," Mbalula said. 

21 days to hit back

Zuma's conviction for contempt of court in 2021 has banned him from holding the position of Member of Parliament.

The party blasted the "grave injustices against its leader" when rumors of his impending expulsion spread.

In response, MK spokesman Nhlamulo Ndhlela said, "An examination of the leaked document reveals that the disciplinary process was not only not only profoundly flawed but also conducted in a manner akin to a kangaroo court," noting that Zuma will resort to legal counsel to determine the next step. 

The former president is given 21 days to appeal the decision.

Elected South African president in 2009, he was forced out of office in 2018 under the cloud of corruption allegations and was replaced by his long-term rival, President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Following his imprisonment in July 2021, which led to widespread unrest resulting in over 350 deaths, Jacob Zuma faced the most significant episode of violence in South Africa since apartheid ended, against a backdrop of economic stagnation.

During the ANC's exile under apartheid, Zuma held a formidable position as head of intelligence, known for cracking down on traitors and informers. Additionally, he spent a decade in Robben Island prison alongside Nelson Mandela. However, his reputation was tarnished by a series of legal troubles.

Zuma has expressed no fear of the judicial system. An anti-corruption commission investigated allegations of embezzlement of public funds during his nine years in power, with a 2022 report implicating Zuma in alleged state corruption.

Currently, Zuma is set to face trial in a bribery case dating back more than two decades, where he is accused of receiving significant sums from defense firm Thales, one of the companies awarded lucrative arms contracts.