South Africa’s dominant ANC began disciplinary procedures against former President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday, which could end in his expulsion for guiding a rival faction into elections in May.
The African National Congress suspended the scandal-tainted former leader in January, a month after he endorsed the newly founded uMkhonto weSizwe (MK).
Zuma is accused of violating the ANC constitution by campaigning for a rival party while still a member.
MK chopped reduced the ANC’s vote share in the May 29 elections, finishing third with 14.5 percent.
The ruling party received 40%, its lowest score since coming to office three decades ago.
Zuma did not attend the first hearing, which was conducted digitally and closed to the public.
Zuma’s counsel, former ANC stalwart Tony Yengeni, informed the court that he wished to appear in person, MK said in a statement.
According to the report, he also requested that the proceedings be made public.
The hearing was postponed till July 23.
Zuma was elected South African president in 2009 but was forced to resign in 2018 due to corruption charges. He was replaced by his long-time opponent, President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The birth of the MK generated shockwaves in South Africa, with the party adopting the moniker “uMkhonto weSizwe” and logo from the ANC’s now-defunct apartheid-era military arm.
The ANC overthrew white minority rule in South Africa and held the country’s first democratic election in 1994.