The South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) in KwaZulu-Natal has officially expelled former President Jacob Zuma from his position as the provincial chairperson. This move follows the African National Congress (ANC) suspending Zuma due to his association with the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, which is running against the ANC in the upcoming elections.
Elected as Sanco’s provincial chairperson last year, Zuma publicly declared in December that he would not be supporting the ANC in the elections. Instead, he pledged his support for the newly formed MK party, leading to a legal dispute with the ANC over the party’s name. The ANC contends that “MK” belongs to its military wing, formed in 1961, and has challenged the registration of the MK party with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).
The matter is set to be heard in the electoral court on March 19. Sanco, an ANC alliance partner, announced Zuma’s expulsion, citing his absence from meetings and considering him to have absconded. Over the past two months, Zuma has actively campaigned for the MK party in several provinces.
Sanco in KwaZulu-Natal affirmed its support for the ANC in the upcoming 2024 elections. Zuma’s expulsion from Sanco comes a week before the ANC’s manifesto launch in Durban, adding a layer of political significance to the event. Lawrence Dube has been named as Zuma’s acting replacement in the role of chairperson. Despite the ANC’s suspension, Zuma’s case will be addressed after the elections, according to ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe.