Former South African President Jacob Zuma is set to undergo a disciplinary hearing with the African National Congress (ANC) party, following his involvement in campaigning against the organization he once led in the recent national elections. Zuma, aged 82, faces the possibility of expulsion from the ANC, a party he has been associated with since the late 1950s during the struggle against apartheid.
Zuma's presidency came to an end in 2018 amidst corruption allegations, leading to a rift with President Cyril Ramaphosa, who succeeded him as the party and country leader. Zuma officially distanced himself from the ANC in December, announcing his support for the newly-formed MK Party in the May elections. Despite maintaining his ANC membership, he was suspended by the party in January for undermining its integrity.
The hearing, scheduled to take place at the ANC headquarters in Johannesburg, may see Zuma's attendance in person, although the party prefers a virtual format. Zuma's MK Party garnered a surprising 14% of the national vote in the recent elections, contributing to the ANC losing its majority for the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994.
While MK declined to join the coalition government formed post-election, it will become the official opposition as the third-largest party in Parliament. Zuma, despite facing legal challenges including a prison sentence for contempt of court in 2021, remains a popular figure in certain regions of South Africa.
Looking ahead, Zuma is expected to stand trial next year on separate corruption charges dating back to his pre-presidential era. His disqualification from parliamentary candidacy did not deter his leadership of the MK Party, which continues to be a significant player in the country's political landscape.
