Former President Jacob Zuma's MKP plans to seek legal advice after the ANC's national disciplinary committee (NDC) ruled that he be expelled from the party.

As previously reported, the committe found him guilty of contravening rule 25.17.17.4 of the ANC constitution.

TimesLIVE reports that he was charged with bringing the party into disrepute and for acting and collaborating with a political organisation other than an organisation in alliance with the ANC, in a manner contrary to the aims, policies and objectives of the party.

Zuma's expulsion follows his decision to establish a new political party and act as its president. He was also charged with having campaigned for the MKP.

NDC members, including Faith Muthambi, Nocawe Mafu, Robinson Ramaite, Kerensa Millard and Vusi Pikoli voted in favour of his expulsion. The NDC argued that Zuma's misconduct was very serious, and his contribution to the liberation struggle could not detract from the decision to impose the sanction and expulsion.

‘The NDC is of the view that the charged member’s anger against the ANC overcame his emotional attachment to the organisation and blinded him from seeing the contradictory position he had placed himself in. As torturous as it may be for the charged member to find himself outside the ANC after devoting more than six decades of his life to the organisation at great personal sacrifice, it would not be permissible for him to be a member of the MKP and the ANC at the same time,’ the ruling read.

MKP spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said the MKP found out about Zuma's expulsion from the media on Sunday, and claimed it was not directly communicated to Zuma by the ANC.

‘We confirm this as an act that appears to be a deliberate attempt by the ANC of (President Cyril) Ramaphosa to undermine Zuma. Alarmingly, neither Zuma nor his designated representative, comrade Tony Yengeni, were informed of this ruling, a stark violation of the ANC constitution and the Constitution of SA.’ 

Daily Maverick last week reported that Yengeni had questioned the integrity of the disciplinary committee, implying that it might be facing external pressures. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula is believed to have sent a hostile text message to Yengeni just days before the hearing was set to take place.

However, during his testimony to the NDC, he denied that the texts had anything to do with Zuma’s case. Ndhlela criticised the ANC’s handling of the disciplinary process, describing it as a ‘kangaroo court’. 

The TimesLIVE report says Zuma will engage his legal team to urgently determine the course of action and ensure justice is served. 

On such conclusion of consultations, Zuma will announce further actions based on the guidance of the consultations.

Full TimesLIVE report

Full Daily Maverick report