South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma has announced that he will not campaign for the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in the 2024 general election and will instead support a new party formed by former liberation fighters.
Zuma, who faces multiple corruption charges and a possible jail term, said he was disillusioned with the ANC under his successor Cyril Ramaphosa, whom he accused of betraying the party’s ideals and failing to deliver on its promises.
“The ANC I know was never focused more on expelling members without implementing proper processes to establish if such action was appropriate,” Zuma told journalists on Saturday, referring to the expulsion of the party’s former secretary general Ace Magashule, who was found guilty of violating the party’s constitution.
According to a report by Reuters, Zuma also blamed Ramaphosa’s government for the persistent power cuts that have crippled the economy and angered millions of South Africans.
“I have decided that I cannot and will not campaign for the ANC of Ramaphosa in 2024. My conscience will not allow me to lie to the people of South Africa,” Zuma said.
He added that he would vote for the newly formed Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, which is named after the armed wing of the ANC that fought against apartheid. The party is led by Kebby Maphatsoe, a former deputy minister and Zuma loyalist who also heads the MK Veterans Association.
Zuma said he remained a member of the ANC and hoped that the party would return to its roots and principles. The ANC’s spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment.
The election is due between May and August 2024 and the ANC, which has ruled South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994, faces a tough challenge from the main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), and the radical Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
Zuma’s defection could further erode the ANC’s support base, especially in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal, where he enjoys a strong following among the Zulu ethnic group.
Zuma, who was forced to resign in 2018 amid allegations of corruption and state capture, is currently out on bail after being arrested in July for defying a court order to testify at a judicial inquiry into his alleged role in looting state funds.
He is also facing a separate trial on charges of fraud, racketeering and money laundering related to a $2 billion arms deal in the 1990s. Zuma has denied any wrongdoing and claims he is a victim of a political witch-hunt.
Despite his legal woes, Zuma said he was optimistic about the future of South Africa and urged his supporters to vote for change and justice in 2024.
“I will die a member of the ANC, but I will not die a fool,” he said.
