Former President Jacob Zuma’s recent demand for the reversal of his expulsion from the African National Congress (ANC) has ignited political fireworks as the party celebrated its 113th anniversary. On Wednesday, as ANC leaders gathered on Robben Island to mark this milestone, Zuma sent a formal letter to his former party, requesting that they reinstate him. The move, however, was swiftly dismissed by the ANC’s Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, who branded Zuma a “ridiculous old man” thriving on disunity. Mbalula’s caustic response, made on the sidelines of the anniversary event, only added fuel to the fire, setting the stage for deeper political tension.
Political analysts suggest that Zuma’s strategy is calculated, aiming to distract the ANC and create internal strife, especially during such a significant moment for the party. Dr. Metji Makgoba, a senior political analyst from the University of Limpopo, pointed out the inherent contradictions in Zuma’s actions. By representing the interests of the MK Party while simultaneously seeking reinstatement into the ANC, Zuma has thrown the party into a complex situation. The former president, according to Makgoba, understands that the ANC is likely to react emotionally and dismiss his demands as mere provocation, rather than taking the matter seriously. This, he argues, serves Zuma’s goal of forcing the ANC into a defensive position where it appears disorganized and incapable of handling internal challenges.
Zuma’s letter to the ANC forces the party into a delicate balancing act. While the ANC could easily resolve the issue by simply reaffirming the legitimacy of his expulsion, Zuma knows that this response might not be sufficient to quell the reputational damage. Mbalula’s inflammatory remarks, which ridiculed Zuma, risk painting the ANC as a party unable to manage its internal divisions effectively. Instead of treating Zuma’s request as a legal or procedural matter, the ANC’s leadership has been drawn into a war of words, further eroding its credibility. In the eyes of observers like Makgoba, Zuma’s actions are a deliberate attempt to manipulate the party into appearing weak and reactionary.
The legal dimensions of the case add another layer of complexity. Should Zuma pursue the matter through the courts, his legal team would likely argue that his expulsion lacked proper grounds or due process. Makgoba suggests that the courts would be less concerned with the political animosity between Zuma and the ANC and more focused on whether Zuma’s rights were violated during the expulsion process. This shift in focus would force the ANC to justify its decision on solid legal grounds, something that could prove difficult if the expulsion is seen as politically motivated rather than procedurally sound.
Zuma’s move comes at a time of significant political flux. Since his departure from the ANC and the formation of the MK Party in December 2023, Zuma’s influence has sparked further fractures within the party and its allies, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). The splintering of support, with some senior ANC figures defecting to the MK Party, has only intensified the pressure on the ANC’s leadership. The ANC, already grappling with internal power struggles and public dissatisfaction, now faces the added challenge of managing Zuma’s disruptive influence while trying to maintain unity within its ranks.
In response to Zuma’s letter, ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) members, including Member of Parliament Khusela Diko, have sought to downplay the former president’s actions. Diko described Zuma’s demands as a mere distraction, timed to coincide with the party’s celebratory event. While such statements may help maintain the party’s narrative of unity, they do little to address the underlying divisions that Zuma has skillfully exploited.
Zuma’s play is a reminder of his long-standing ability to shape political discourse, often by leveraging controversy and internal conflict. His decision to take the ANC to task while leading a rival political faction is a calculated risk that keeps his influence alive, even if it divides the party he once led. As the ANC continues to grapple with its internal contradictions and the challenges posed by Zuma’s political maneuvers, one thing is clear: the former president remains a formidable force, capable of drawing attention and sowing discord wherever he chooses to direct it.
