Zuma’s expulsion came after his public declaration of support for the MK party ahead of the elections
Former President Jacob Zuma has demanded the reinstatement of his African National Congress (ANC) membership.
Zuma’s lawyers have written to ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula on Wednesday saying his expulsion as a member of ANC was “unlawful”
The lawyers in the leter said Zuma would pursue legal action if the ANC fails to address his concerns and reinstate him by 31 January 2025.
“We are instructed to inform you that the aforesaid expulsion was illegal and/or in breach of both the ANC Constitution and/or the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa for various grounds,” his lawyers KMNS Attorney’s argued.
“Procedural concerns”
The lawyers letter further outlines significant procedural and substantive concerns regarding the processes undertaken by the ANC’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) and the National Disciplinary Committee of Appeal (NDCA).
“The failure and/or refusal of the ANC to accede to the requirement to hold the disciplinary process and/or the appeal hearing physically more so after having agreed to do so but inexplicably somersaulting on the said agreement;
“The failure and/or refusal to hold the process in public; the failure and/or refusal to postpone the NDC hearing when it was legally bound to do so,” the letter said.
‘Intimidation’
The letter further notes pronouncements and actions by Mbalula, who has reportedly engaged in acts of “intimidation, victimisation, and targeted insults” against Zuma’s representative Tony Yengeni whose “only sin” was to represent the former president.
“Mr. Mbalula also unduly interfered with the independent and current decision of the NDC to hold a physical hearing.
“The victimisation of Mr. Yengeni continues to date with the obvious aim of depriving President Zuma his rights contained in the ANC Constitution and his political rights enshrined in the Constitution of South Africa,” the lawyers argued.
Zuma was officially expelled from the ANC in November last year.
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