Mbalula labels Zuma attempts to challenge ANC dismissal as 'mischievous', 'ridiculous'
Zuma has on the party's 113th anniversary served the continent’s oldest liberation movement with a demand letter to be reinstated as a member.
ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula during a media briefing on 22 February 2024. Picture: X/@MYANC
CAPE TOWN - African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has labelled former President Jacob Zuma’s attempts to challenge his dismissal from the party on Wednesday as mischief.
Zuma has on Wednesday served the continent’s oldest liberation movement with a demand letter to be reinstated as a member, as it celebrates its 113th anniversary on the island where Zuma was among political prisoners fighting for the country’s liberation.
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He said the disciplinary steps that the ANC followed in 2024 were illegal and violated his constitutional rights.
Zuma was charged after he started his political party under the name of the ANC’s military wing, uMkhonto weSizwe.
Mbalula said the timing of Zuma’s demand is meant to detract from Wednesday’s commemoration.
“He had the opportunity to send his love letter many days ago, he didn’t, but he chose this day. That’s how he works. That’s how he operates. [Zuma is a] mischievous, uncouth, ridiculous old man who basically thrives on disunity for his own self-interest.”