Former President Jacob Zuma is no longer waiting patiently for his return to the ANC; he is now demanding it. On Wednesday, 8 January 2025, Zumaβs legal team, representing his foundation, issued a formal letter of demand to the African National Congress (ANC), calling for the reinstatement of his membership, which was allegedly terminated improperly in 2024. The letter challenges the actions taken by the ANCβs National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) and the National Disciplinary Committee of Appeal (NDCA), claiming that procedural and substantive irregularities were present in the termination process.
Mzwanele Manyi, spokesman for Zumaβs foundation, argued that the disciplinary processes followed by the ANC were flawed and, if reviewed by an independent legal body, would likely be deemed invalid. βPresident Zuma has requested that the ANC address this issue and announce his reinstatement by 31 January 2025,β Manyi stated. βFailure to do so will force us to explore legal options to protect his constitutional and contractual rights. He has been a loyal member of the ANC for 65 years.β Manyiβs comments underscore the seriousness of Zumaβs position and his resolve to seek justice.
The letter also criticizes ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula for allegedly engaging in acts of intimidation and victimization against Zumaβs representative, ANC veteran Tony Yengeni. Manyi emphasized that such actions not only violated the ANC Constitution but also undermined the integrity of the partyβs internal processes. Despite these challenges, he stressed that Yengeni, a longstanding and disciplined ANC member, remains committed to representing Zuma and pursuing the matter with fairness and justice.
Zumaβs expulsion from the ANC in 2024 came after he founded a new political party, uMkhonto Wesizwe, and campaigned against the ANC. He was found guilty of “prejudicing the integrity” of the party by engaging in this opposition. Since then, Zuma has attempted to challenge his expulsion through the partyβs disciplinary channels, but the ruling upheld his removal. With his latest demand, Zuma aims to compel the ANC to act in line with its foundational principles of fairness, consistency, and justice. As the deadline for his reinstatement approaches, all eyes are now on the ANCβs response, and whether this long-running dispute will escalate into a full-blown legal battle.