The African National Congress (ANC) has decided not to respond to a recent letter from South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma, where he demands to be reinstated as a party member.
Zuma’s legal team sent the letter to the ANC this week, calling for his return to the party by the end of January.
However, ANC secretary Fikile Mbalula dismissed the request, accusing Zuma of attempting to distract the party from its celebrations marking its 113th anniversary.
Mbalula criticised Zuma’s timing, claiming that he had ample opportunity to raise such concerns earlier but chose not to. He called Zuma’s actions “mischievous,” adding that the former president’s behavior only promotes disunity within the ANC, as he seeks to serve his own interests.
“We are not going to respond because it [letter] seeks to divert us from the 113th-year celebration. He had an opportunity to send his love letter many days ago and he didn’t. That is how he works, that’s how he operates. He is a mischievous, uncouth, ridiculous old man who thrives on disunity for his self-interest,” said Mbalula.
Zuma was expelled from the ANC in July following his public endorsement of the newly formed Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK) Party. He now leads this third-largest political party in South Africa.
In his letter to the ANC, Zuma’s foundation outlined a series of grievances regarding the disciplinary actions taken against him, arguing that there were procedural errors in the decision-making process.
According to spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi, Zuma’s legal team believes that these irregularities could lead to the invalidation of his expulsion if reviewed in court.
“This matter extends beyond individual grievances, reflecting deeper concerns about the ANC’s current trajectory. There is a growing perception that the organisation is being led by individuals whose actions resemble Askaris, undermining the movement’s historic mission.
“The alarming trend of selling the organisation’s core principles to the highest bidder has been vividly demonstrated by the so-called government of national unity coalition with the DA and Freedom Front Plus,” Manyi said.
The former president warned that if the ANC fails to address his plea, he will be forced to seek legal action.
Zuma also expressed concerns over the ANC’s current direction, criticising its leadership and the party’s alliances with opposition groups, which he believes compromise its foundational principles. He called for the ANC to uphold fairness and consistency in its disciplinary processes.
