THE FUSE

By Palesa Matlala

• Jacob Zuma says he still wants to be a member of the African National Congress despite being expelled in July 2024 for forming and supporting the Mkhonto weSizwe Party.
• The African National Congress says Zuma broke its constitution by campaigning and voting against the party, while the Mkhonto weSizwe Party says dual membership is allowed in special cases.

Former president Jacob Zuma says he is not giving up on his African National Congress membership, even though he now leads the Mkhonto weSizwe Party.

Zuma was speaking at his wife’s book launch in Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal.

He told supporters that he will continue fighting to remain a member of the African National Congress and hopes that one day the two parties can merge.

The African National Congress cut ties with Zuma on 23 July 2024. The party’s national disciplinary committee expelled him in his absence.

The party accused Zuma of breaking rule 25 of its constitution. It said he formed and voted with the Mkhonto weSizwe Party instead of supporting the African National Congress.

According to the party, his failure to campaign or vote for the African National Congress was a direct breach of its rules.

In May 2024, Zuma said he would “die in the ANC”.

“I have sacrificed my life. I went to prison. I went into exile and some of the people who are leading, they don’t even know what exile is all about,” said Zuma.

In December 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa admitted that Zuma’s Mkhonto weSizwe Party had diverted support from the African National Congress. He said this directly contributed to the party’s poor election performance.

The Mkhonto weSizwe Party’s national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said the party’s constitution allows dual membership in exceptional circumstances.

Zuma’s comments show that despite the bitter fallout, he still sees himself as part of the African National Congress and wants his membership restored.

Pictured above: Former president Jacob Zuma

Image source: Supplied