South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) confirmed its decision to expel former president Jacob Zuma from the party.
The announcement came during a press briefing on Monday, led by ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula.
Zuma’s expulsion follows his suspension in January after he declared his intention to campaign for the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party in the May general elections.
Mbalula said that Zuma “actively impugned the integrity of the ANC and campaigned to dislodge the ANC from power while claiming that he had not severed his membership.” He added that this conduct was “irreconcilable with the spirit of organisational discipline and letter of the ANC Constitution.”
In the recent elections, the MK party secured 14.5 percent of the votes, translating to 58 seats in the 400-member National Assembly.
Mbalula noted that Zuma has the right to appeal the decision to the National Disciplinary Committee of Appeal within 21 days.
In response, the MK party released a statement indicating that Zuma will consult with his lawyers to determine his next steps.
