By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) has confirmed the expulsion of former President Jacob Zuma following the decision by the National Disciplinary Committee of Appeal (NDCA) to uphold his removal from the party.
Zuma in October appealed his expulsion from the party.
However, the ANC’s national disciplinary committee rejected his appeal.
Zuma was expelled from the ANC in July this year after he was found guilty of bringing the organisation into disrepute by forming and campaigning for another political organisation.
ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri: “The ANC has noted and welcomed the decision by the NDC of appeal to uphold the finding by the NDC to expel Jacob Zuma from the ANC. As a former president of the ANC was expected to embody the highest standards of disciplined leadership and advanced cadres who serve as guides and inspiration for all members of our movement and society.
“By establishing and leading a rival political party, he abandoned the core values of organisational loyalty and collective accountability, converting himself into a tool for destabilisation,” she said.
“As a former president of the ANC, Zuma was expected to embody the highest standards of disciplined leadership and advanced cadres who serve as guides and inspiration for all members of our movement and society.
“Instead, his actions have undermined the unity and cohesion of the movement at a time when it is critical to consolidate and push forward with organisational renewal and confront the pressing challenges facing South Africa,” she said.
Zuma’s “severe breach” of the ANC’s organisational discipline had necessitated his expulsion to safeguard its integrity and unity.
The ANC will never permit an individual, regardless of stature or historical contribution, to undermine its mission to build a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society,” Bhengu-Motsiri said.
She said the expulsion reaffirmed the ANC’s commitment to revolutionary morality and discipline and to democratic centralism.
“This decision must serve as a reminder that no individual is greater than the movement, and that the ANC strength lies in its collective leadership and unwavering dedication to the aspirations of the people, “she said.
Zuma, who served two terms as ANC president and president of the country until his recall by the party in February 2018, has argued that he remains a party member and that his formation of the MK party is aimed at “saving” it from its current leadership.