Thukukile Zuma, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma and former Health Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has resigned from the African National Congress's (ANC) Johannesburg regional executive committee (REC). Her resignation comes amid disciplinary proceedings initiated by regional secretary Sasabona Manganye over her alleged failure to fulfil her duties as an REC member and criticism of the ANC on social media. Zuma's resignation letter, dated November 10, stated that her decision should not be interpreted as an admission of wrongdoing or a withdrawal of her commitment to the ANC.
According to Zuma, her resignation reflects the party's straying from its founding principles, with little prospect of self-correction under its regional and national leadership. She accused the party leaders of trying to silence her for speaking out against organisational dysfunction. Zuma's concerns include the REC's failure to convene meetings, denying members platforms to raise concerns and deliberate on organisational matters. She also cited an unacceptable culture of censorship and intolerance of dissent within the party.
Zuma's resignation follows a series of social media posts criticising the ANC's handling of the submission of its councillor candidate lists before the local government elections. One post expressed concern over the party's failure to submit 181 candidates to the Electoral Commission of South Africa, resulting in their exclusion from the lists. She also attended court to support national executive member Andile Lungisa in a case against ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula after he was removed from the ANC's councillor candidate list.
In her resignation letter, Zuma questioned whether her treatment was linked to her family background. She expressed concern that the manner in which the ANC has treated her parents, former President Jacob Zuma and Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, may be a factor in her current situation. Zuma's letter also highlighted the challenges in the REC, reflecting a broader and deeply concerning organisational culture where robust political engagements are increasingly being replaced by authoritarian tendencies and factional intolerance.
Senior sources in the Johannesburg REC told the Mail & Guardian that Zuma had not participated in the party's local government election campaign. Manganye's letter, dated October 15, informed Zuma that the Johannesburg region was considering disciplinary charges against her over her alleged failure to discharge her responsibilities as an REC member and a series of social media posts. Zuma was invited to provide written representations explaining why charges should not be instituted.
Zuma recalled participating in a picket outside a meeting of the party's national executive committee after the 2024 elections, opposing the formation of a government of national unity that included the Democratic Alliance. Threats of disciplinary action had followed her political opposition to the arrangement. She believes that the ANC's intolerance of dissent and discussions is in direct opposition to its own best interest and the best interest of the people of South Africa.
Zuma's resignation has significant implications for the ANC, highlighting internal conflicts and concerns over organisational dysfunction. Her decision to resign rather than face disciplinary action underscores the challenges the party faces in balancing internal dissent and maintaining a united front. The ANC has yet to comment on Zuma's resignation and the implications for the party's leadership and internal dynamics.
Key points
- Thukukile Zuma resigned from the ANC's Johannesburg regional executive committee citing organisational dysfunction and attempts to silence her.
- Zuma's resignation follows disciplinary proceedings initiated by regional secretary Sasabona Manganye over her alleged failure to fulfil her duties and criticism of the ANC on social media.
- Zuma questioned whether her treatment was linked to her family background, citing the ANC's treatment of her parents, former President Jacob Zuma and Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
