ANC Dismisses Jacob Zuma's Reinstatement Demand as Attempt to Create Distraction

In the latest round of political drama surrounding South Africa's African National Congress (ANC), the party finds itself locking horns with one of its most polarizing figures—former President Jacob Zuma. The former leader, who was expelled from the ANC in July 2024 over his endorsement of the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Party, has caused ripples by issuing a formal demand for reinstatement. The response from the ANC has been anything but accommodating, with Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula taking a strong stance against Zuma’s request.

ANC’s Firm Stance on Jacob Zuma's Reinstatement

Fikile Mbalula, the ANC Secretary-General, was quick to dismiss Zuma’s letter requesting his reinstatement. Describing it as 'mischievous' and 'ridiculous', Mbalula implied that the letter was nothing more than a distraction tactic, coinciding suspiciously with the party's birthday celebrations. According to Mbalula, Zuma's attempt to return to the party is far from simple and sees it as a ploy to divert attention from ANC’s greater agenda.

The context of Zuma's expulsion stems from his support for the MK Party, a move that was seen as aligning with a party adversarial to the ANC's interests. This was more than a mere political faux pas—in the eyes of ANC officials, it was a breach of loyalty significant enough to warrant expulsion. Mbalula reiterated that the disciplinary actions against Zuma were conducted lawfully and in accordance with party constitution, standing firm on the decision made back in 2024.

Zuma’s Legal Position and ANC's Response

Despite the firm rejection from the ANC, Zuma’s legal team has not relented. His lawyers have communicated to Mbalula, setting a deadline for the party to respond to their demand for reinstatement by January 31, 2025. The letter cites grievances regarding the disciplinary process, criticizing the ANC for not accommodating an in-person or public hearing.

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa has echoed Mbalula’s assurance that the ANC adhered strictly to legal and constitutional protocols during Zuma’s disciplinary hearings. Ramaphosa emphasized that fairness was maintained without any need for public spectacles. However, Zuma’s legal team paints a different picture, alleging procedural unfairness and injustice. They argue that the former president was neither given a fair hearing nor the opportunity to defend himself in public view, suggesting political bias in the handling of the case.

Implications and the Road Ahead

As the deadline for ANC’s response looms, the situation is poised to escalate into a court battle. Zuma, a figure who has long been a fixture of South African politics, seems ready to fight what he and his advocates view as a personal and political dishonor. The courts may soon become the battleground for this high-profile dispute, which encapsulates issues of loyalty, justice, and the very future of the ANC’s unity and coherence.

The political landscape in South Africa is no stranger to controversy, especially with figures like Zuma who have lived both in the limelight and under the shadow of legal controversies. With his history of legal battles and maneuverings, few political analysts are surprised by Zuma’s actions. This particular situation stresses the complex interplay between party politics and legal frameworks in South Africa, spotlighting how internal conflicts can resonate beyond party lines and into national discourse.

Political Impact and Public Perception

Public perception plays a critical role in the ongoing saga between Zuma and the ANC. The steadfast position from the ANC leadership suggests a party attempting to consolidate control and manifest clarity of purpose amidst the chaos. At the same time, Zuma's appeal, possibly fueled by a segment of his supporters, raises questions about factionalism and allegiance within the ANC’s structure. Whether this resonates with the broader public, reshaping the ANC's image, remains to be seen.

With the impending legal actions and the intricacies of internal ANC dynamics, South African citizens are left observing the unfolding drama that may set precedents for how future internal party challenges are handled. As the date approaches for what may become a defining legal face-off, political enthusiasts, media, and citizens alike await with bated breath to see who will yield in this charged political tussle.

Author: Themba Sweet

I am a news journalist with a passion for writing about daily news in Africa. With over 20 years of experience in the field, I strive to deliver accurate and insightful stories. My work aims to inform and educate the public on the continent’s current affairs and developments.

20 Comments

rakesh meena said:

January 11, 2025 AT 18:03

Zuma's back again? Seriously?
Stuart Sandman said:

January 12, 2025 AT 20:23

This isn't politics anymore-it's a Shakespearean tragedy written by a guy who thinks the constitution is a suggestion. The ANC didn't kick him out because he supported MK-they kicked him out because he turned the party into a circus and then tried to sell tickets. The real distraction? The fact that we're still talking about him. He's the ghost haunting South Africa's democracy, and nobody knows how to exorcise him.
DJ Paterson said:

January 13, 2025 AT 10:57

There's something deeply human in how Zuma clings to relevance. He knows the system betrayed him as much as he betrayed it. The ANC claims constitutional purity, but they're afraid of his voice because it still echoes with the people who remember him as the man who didn't pretend to be perfect. Maybe the real question isn't whether he should be reinstated-but why we still care so much.
Nikhil nilkhan said:

January 13, 2025 AT 19:28

Man, I feel bad for the country. Zuma's messy, yeah-but the ANC is acting like a parent who kicked out their kid for breaking a plate and now won't even let him come home for dinner. Maybe they should just sit down, talk, and fix what's broken instead of pretending he's a monster. We all make mistakes.
Damini Nichinnamettlu said:

January 15, 2025 AT 15:18

The ANC is not wrong. Zuma’s betrayal was not just political-it was moral. He aligned with a party that wants to tear down what he once swore to protect. There’s no room for sentimentality when loyalty is the foundation of a movement. He chose his side. Now he must live with it.
Vinod Pillai said:

January 16, 2025 AT 09:19

This is corruption. Plain and simple. He got caught stealing, got kicked out, now he's trying to play victim so he can get back in and steal again. The ANC is doing the right thing. No one should be above the law. If you break the rules, you don't get a second chance. Period.
Avantika Dandapani said:

January 16, 2025 AT 21:13

I just want to say… I feel his pain. I really do. Imagine being the center of a storm for decades, loved by some, hated by others, and now you're told you don't belong in the place you helped build. It's heartbreaking. Maybe the ANC could find a way to let him walk back in with dignity-without giving him power. Just… let him be heard.
Ayushi Dongre said:

January 16, 2025 AT 23:27

The procedural integrity of the ANC’s disciplinary mechanism must be evaluated not through the lens of emotional appeal but through the objective framework of constitutional governance. The absence of a public hearing does not, ipso facto, constitute procedural irregularity unless it is demonstrably mandated by the party’s charter-which, according to available documentation, it is not.
sandeep singh said:

January 17, 2025 AT 07:36

Zuma is a parasite. He feeds on chaos. The ANC is weak for even entertaining this. He’s not a leader-he’s a liability. If you let him back in, you’re inviting the rot back into the party. This isn’t about fairness. It’s about survival.
Sumit Garg said:

January 17, 2025 AT 19:32

The irony is that Zuma’s legal team is invoking due process while simultaneously undermining the very concept of institutional legitimacy. Their argument rests on performative justice-public hearings as spectacle, not substance. This isn’t about rights. It’s about narrative control. The ANC’s silence is strategic. They know that to engage is to validate.
Sneha N said:

January 19, 2025 AT 17:21

💔💔💔 This is the most dramatic thing to happen since the ANC’s last internal coup. I’m literally holding my breath. Zuma in a suit, tears in his eyes, walking into the ANC HQ… the music swells… the camera pans to Ramaphosa’s stone face… 🎭👑 #ZumaComeback #ANCdrama
Manjunath Nayak BP said:

January 20, 2025 AT 11:33

You think this is about Zuma? Nah. This is about the ANC being terrified that if they let him back, even a little, the whole house of cards collapses. They know his supporters aren't gone-they’re just waiting. And if they let him back, it’s not a reinstatement-it’s a coup. They’re scared of the people who still chant his name. That’s why they’re so harsh. Not because he did anything wrong. Because they know he’s still the king. And kings don’t get fired. They get assassinated. And they’re scared he’s gonna come back from the dead.
Tulika Singh said:

January 20, 2025 AT 22:54

People change. Parties change. Maybe it’s time to let him come home-not to lead, but to be part of the conversation.
naresh g said:

January 22, 2025 AT 11:46

Wait, so he was expelled for supporting MK Party, right? But MK Party was founded by his own son, right? And the ANC was founded by his own party members, right? So is the ANC punishing him for loyalty to family? Or for being loyal to the wrong version of himself? Or is this just about power?
Brajesh Yadav said:

January 23, 2025 AT 18:33

THE ANC IS SCARED!! 😱 Zuma is the ONLY one who ever stood up to the elites!! He’s the only one who didn’t kiss the butt of the IMF!! They kicked him out because he was REAL!! Now they’re hiding behind ‘process’ because they know the people still love him!! This is not justice-it’s revenge!! 🚨🔥 #ZumaIsThePeople
Govind Gupta said:

January 24, 2025 AT 11:18

The whole thing feels like a bad soap opera with too many plot twists and not enough closure. Zuma’s got the charisma of a fallen god, and the ANC’s acting like a nervous choir director trying to silence the loudest singer. Maybe they should just let him sing. Even if it’s off-key.
tushar singh said:

January 25, 2025 AT 11:00

Everyone’s so focused on the drama, but what about the people who actually need help? Zuma or no Zuma, the schools are still broken, the power grid’s still failing, the water’s still dirty. Maybe we should stop watching the circus and start fixing the town.
Robert Shealtiel said:

January 26, 2025 AT 13:53

They’re all just puppets. The ANC, Zuma, the courts-it’s all a show for the West. They don’t care about South Africa. They care about control. You think this is about loyalty? It’s about oil. It’s about mining rights. It’s about who gets to steal next.
Marrissa Davis said:

January 27, 2025 AT 21:15

I just hope whoever’s in charge remembers that real leadership isn’t about kicking people out-it’s about bringing them back when they’re ready to do better. Zuma’s not perfect, but neither are we. Maybe we need to grow up a little.
Sean Brison said:

January 28, 2025 AT 01:16

The legal timeline is interesting. If the ANC doesn’t respond by Jan 31, Zuma’s team can take it to court. That’s not just a threat-it’s a strategic move. Courts in SA are still seen as relatively independent. If they rule in Zuma’s favor, even partially, it could force the ANC into a compromise. Either way, this isn’t over. It’s just entering phase two.