South Africa’s governing party, the African National Congress (A.N.C.), reaffirmed its decision to expel former leader Jacob Zuma on Friday, rejecting his attempts to remain in the party.
The A.N.C., which has ruled South Africa since the end of apartheid 30 years ago, expelled Mr. Zuma in July, labeling him a traitor after he formed a rival political organization to challenge the A.N.C.’s dominance.
As the country approaches a crucial election in May, Mr. Zuma campaigned for the new party while still holding A.N.C. membership.
Despite appealing his expulsion last month and insisting on making his case in person, Mr. Zuma's requests were denied. The party permanently severed ties with him this week, citing his behavior as the "highest form of ill-discipline."
The A.N.C. stated that Mr. Zuma’s establishment of a rival party demonstrated disloyalty and attempted destabilization during a period of renewal for the party. It emphasized that it would not allow any individual to undermine its authority, regardless of their stature or historical contributions.
Mr. Zuma, a lifelong A.N.C. member since his teenage years, was arrested by the apartheid police at the age of 21 and served time in prison alongside Nelson Mandela. He became president of the A.N.C. in 2007 but resigned as president of South Africa in February 2018 amid political pressure following a tumultuous tenure marked by scandal and corruption.
Following his resignation, Mr. Zuma faced scrutiny from a judicial inquiry into corruption and was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt after refusing to testify. He served about two months before being released on medical parole.
Instead of retreating from politics, Mr. Zuma formed a new party, uMkhonto weSizwe (M.K. party), which finished third in the parliamentary election, securing 58 out of 400 seats. This outcome reflected both Mr. Zuma's lasting popularity and widespread discontent with the A.N.C., which experienced its lowest electoral support since the end of apartheid.
Even as he campaigned for his new party, Mr. Zuma claimed his goal was to reclaim the A.N.C. from his political rivals, particularly its current leader, President Cyril Ramaphosa.