By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) has finally served former President Jacob Zuma with his charges after endorsing the newly formed uMkhonto we Sizwe Party (MKP), the latest rival to the governing party.
The Disciplinary hearing is scheduled to sit on May 7 at Luthuli House.
Zuma is technically still a member of the ANC although he was suspended from the party in January.
In the first charge, He is accused of contravening rule 25 of the ANC constitution, which bars ANC members from organising or participating in activities of another political party who are not in alliance with the ANC.
The second charge is for appearing on the candidate list for the MK party in this year’s election.
“The ANC reaffirms its commitment to internal discipline and accountability and can confirm that it has formally notified Jacob Zuma of an upcoming disciplinary hearing, read the charge sheet.”
“This critical step underscores the ANC’s dedication to its constitutional principles.
It remains to be seen whether Zuma will attend the hearing.
Zuma, who joined the ANC as a teenager, was jailed on Robben Island for a decade under the apartheid regime. He went on to head the ANC’s intelligence wing in exile, and after the end of apartheid, quickly rose through the party’s ranks.
He led the ANC for years and was a two-time South African president. Now, though, he is going up against his former party under the banner of the MK party in the country’s most closely contested election since the first democratic vote 30 years ago.
Zuma’s return to political centre stage, as a challenger to incumbent President Cyril Ramaphosa, is not surprising, say analysts.
Since 2005, Zuma has been hit with a barrage of court trials and political scandals that might have sunk many politicians. But he has bounced back each time, his “grassroots” approach helping him keep a loyal follower base intact.