Former South African President Jacob Zuma is anticipated to undergo a disciplinary hearing with the African National Congress party on Wednesday. Zuma, 82, has been campaigning against the ANC, which he previously headed, as the leader of a new political party during the recent national elections in May.
The disciplinary hearing may result in Zuma’s expulsion from the ANC, a party he joined in the late 1950s during its fight against apartheid. Zuma was compelled to resign as South African president in 2018 amidst corruption allegations and has been engaged in a political feud with Cyril Ramaphosa, who succeeded him as party leader and president.
Zuma confirmed his break from the ANC in December, announcing his intention to campaign for the newly-established MK Party during the May elections. Despite leading the MK Party, he expressed his decision to maintain ANC membership. However, the ANC suspended him in January for attacking the party’s integrity.
The location of the hearing, whether in person at the ANC headquarters in Johannesburg or virtually, remained uncertain. MK Party officials have indicated Zuma’s preference to appear in person, while the ANC prefers an online format. Zuma’s MK Party garnered 14% of the national vote in its first electoral contest, significantly impacting the ANC’s majority and resulting in a multi-party coalition government formation.
Despite facing legal challenges, Zuma’s popularity in parts of the country remains evident. He was imprisoned in 2021 for contempt of court and faces upcoming corruption trials. While disqualified from running for parliament in the recent elections due to his sentence, Zuma continues to lead the MK Party.
