Former South African President Jacob Zuma was expelled from his former party, the African National Congress (ANC), on Monday following his creation of a new political party, the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party (MK Party). The MK Party, which secured nearly 15% of the national vote in recent elections, played a key role in the ANC losing its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994.
The ANC, now forming a unity government with several parties including its main rival, the Democratic Alliance, announced Zuma’s expulsion after a disciplinary hearing. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula criticized Zuma for undermining the party’s integrity by leading a rival faction and attempting to dislodge the ANC from power.
Zuma, who has called his expulsion a “kangaroo court” decision, maintains that he remains a member of the “real” ANC, distinguishing himself from the faction led by current President Cyril Ramaphosa.