ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has launched a scathing attack on former president Jacob Zuma, accusing him of misleading the international community and misrepresenting the African National Congress (ANC).
The controversy stems from Zuma’s participation in a bilateral meeting with the government of Morocco, where he appeared as an ANC representative, despite no longer being part of the party.
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Mbalula took issue with the South African flag being used during the meeting, calling it an abuse of national symbols and a deliberate attempt to create confusion on the global stage.
“Jacob Zuma represents everything that is wrong that is pursued by sell-outs,” said Mbalula during a media briefing in Cape Town on Sunday. “The ANC will fight alongside the Sahrawi people for their self-determination. Morocco must stop the occupation of Western Sahara. Zuma is no messiah. He is a sell-out of note.”
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The South African government has formally requested an explanation from Morocco regarding Zuma’s appearance and the display of the national flag.
‘He Will Be Remembered for That’: Mbalula Unpacks Zuma’s Legacy
Mbalula did not hold back, characterising Zuma’s actions as a betrayal of the ANC’s founding values and foreign policy principles—particularly the party’s commitment to non-alignment and support for Western Sahara.
“This is no surprise to us, the very reason to steal the assets of the ANC to form a political party and call it what it is, and divide our people,” said Mbalula, referencing Zuma’s breakaway MK party. “He weakened the ANC for his own personal aggrandisement, he is what he has been and he will be remembered for that.”
The ANC echoed Mbalula’s sentiment in a separate statement released on Saturday, accusing Zuma of undermining the party’s historic mission and labelling his behaviour as “shameful.”
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ANC Faces Internal Pressure While Looking to Rebuild in the Western Cape
Mbalula also addressed questions around the ANC’s handling of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s situation, amid concerns about whether the party is prepared to act decisively against allegations facing senior members.
“Senzo will not step aside in terms of the ANC; he is an elected member. He now has the opportunity to also state his side of the story,” said Mbalula. “Let us allow the process to follow through… which is what all South Africans are looking forward to.”
Meanwhile, the ANC’s National Working Committee (NWC) is spending the weekend in the Western Cape to engage local structures and develop strategies to regain lost ground. The province has remained under Democratic Alliance (DA) control since 2009.
“There is going to be action on issues that are raised to strengthen the ANC in the Western Cape,” Mbalula said, adding that the NWC will meet on Monday to discuss planned interventions.
As part of a broader continental effort, the ANC will also be hosting leaders of former liberation movements, including Zimbabwe’s Zanu-PF and Mozambique’s Frelimo, to discuss regional challenges and African geopolitical developments.
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