By Sihle Mavuso
The South African Civic Organisation (Sanco) in KwaZulu-Natal has expelled former president Jacob Zuma as its provincial chairperson — just three months after he was surprisingly elected to the position uncontested.
Zuma’s expulsion was announced at a press conference on Friday in Durban after Sanco’s provincial executive committee (PEC) met to discuss the matter.
Zuma was elected to the position in November last year, but he missed meetings of office bearers, opening a loophole for his expulsion by the civic movement.
Announcing the decision in Durban, Sizwe Cele, provincial secretary of the civic organisation which is in alliance with the ANC, said there was no need for a disciplinary hearing against Zuma before deciding to expel him.
“Comrade Zuma has … not attended the last three provincial office bearers meetings and he has not submitted any written or even verbal apology for that matter to the provincial executive.
“[Sanco’s PEC] was therefore left with no other option but to consider comrade Zuma’s behaviour as misconduct and such misconduct is classified as absconding from office.”
Cele said Sanco’s constitution is clear that if office bearers miss meetings they are liable for expulsion.
“[Zuma] has absconded, he left us, he did not attend meetings, so I won’t be surprised if he comes to respond to his removal when he did not come to attend that committee meeting. So, this constitutional provision is clear,” Cele said.
Zuma is now the political godfather of the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party which is threatening to dent the electoral success of the ANC in KZN and Gauteng.
At the press conference announcing Zuma’s expulsion, Cele reminded Sanco members that the organisation’s constitution made it clear they must back the ANC in the upcoming elections and instructed those who have backed other political parties to mend their ways with immediate effect.
Pictured above: Jacob Zuma chairs Sanco KZN no more.
Image source: X
