• The ANC’s disciplinary committee found Zuma guilty of “prejudicing the party’s integrity” by joining MK.
• MK, which opposes the ANC-led government, claims that Zuma was not informed of the decision.
• The ANC suspended Zuma in January after he created MK, which opposes the ANC-led government.

South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma has faced expulsion from the African National Congress (ANC), the party he once led, after campaigning for a rival party in the 29 May general election. The ANC’s disciplinary committee found Mr. Zuma guilty of “prejudicing the integrity” of the party by joining uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) and has given him three weeks to appeal the ruling.

“His platform is dangerous, appeals to extremist instincts in our body politic, and riles up a political base that may foment social unrest,” the ANC said in a statement.

MK has stated that Mr. Zuma was not informed of the decision made by what they called a “kangaroo court.”

Mr. Zuma, 82, was a veteran of the ANC but fell out with the party after he was forced to resign as president in 2018 due to corruption scandals, which he has always denied. The ANC suspended him in January after he created MK, which now opposes the ANC-led government in parliament. MK stated that it was shocked to learn from media reports about Mr. Zuma’s expulsion.

The disciplinary proceedings were conducted “in a manner akin to a kangaroo court”, the party said.

“It is a foundational legal principle that no person, not even those accused of a serious crime, should be punished or sentenced in their absence,” it added.

The ANC’s disciplinary committee held a virtual hearing, which Mr. Zuma refused to attend, insisting on being physically present. At a press conference confirming Mr. Zuma’s expulsion, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula stated that the party had declined Mr. Zuma’s request to be present at the party’s headquarters because he “wanted a rally.”

“Even when they [MK supporters] were told that the disciplinary hearing was virtual they still came here. So it tells you that Jacob Zuma wanted a movie,” he added.

Mr. Mbalula denied that Mr. Zuma had not been informed of his expulsion. “The ‘kangaroo court’ is MK. Who are they to lecture people about due process?” Mr. Mbalula said. He added that the ANC never expected to deal with a former president “campaigning decisively against the party he was a member of.”

South Africa’s current President Cyril Ramaphosa replaced Mr. Zuma in 2018, promising to clean up the government. However, in the 29 May elections, the ANC experienced its worst result in 30 years, forcing the ruling party to form a coalition to share power. The ANC secured almost 15% of the vote and won 58 seats in the 400-member parliament.

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