ANC Suspends Jacob Zuma Following Rival Party Launch, Shaking South African Politics

The African National Congress (ANC) announced the suspension of South Africa's former President Jacob Zuma, who used to lead the party, on Monday.

This decision came after he refused to vote for the ANC and launched a rival party.

Photo Credit: PTI

ANC Suspensd Zuma

The new party, named uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), meaning "spear of the nation," shares its name with the ANC's former armed wing, which Zuma once served in, reported BBC.

During his nine-year presidency, commencing in 2009, Jacob Zuma faced scandals, including significant corruption allegations. An official inquiry concluded that the interests of corrupt associates were prioritized by the former president over those of his country, a process known as "state capture."

Corruption charges related to a 1999 arms deal are also faced by him, with denials of wrongdoing in all cases. In 2018, South Africa's current President, Cyril Ramaphosa, assumed office, vowing to clean up the government. He now leads an embattled ANC into the upcoming general election, according to UK media reports.

Zuma's New Party Launch Poses Challenge for ANC

In a "rescue" mission announced during MK's official launch in December, a statement was read on behalf of Zuma, stating that he would "die a member of the ANC" but not vote for it. It was emphasized that some of its leaders behaved in an "un-ANC manner," and it was now considered his mission to "rescue" the "once-great movement."

Highly personal attacks on his successor, Ramaphosa, have also been launched by Zuma. Despite being viewed by many South Africans as representing what is wrong with the recent past, and having tainted the ANC, he commands significant loyalty from some quarters.

The launch of his new MK party may impact the ANC's votes in the upcoming election, although the extent of popular support remains unclear. The ANC, rooted in the liberation struggle against apartheid, has governed South Africa since the end of white-minority rule.

At 81 years old, Zuma, a lifelong ANC member, rose through the ranks of the ANC's military and intelligence wings, holding top posts in Kwa-Zulu Natal and ultimately the deputy presidency and presidency. Many consider this year's election to be the most competitive since the ANC came to power in 1994.