JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Former South African President Jacob Zuma said on Saturday he would not campaign for the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party in the 2024 general elections and would vote for a new party, a sign of growing divisions within the ANC.
Jacob Zuma is increasing his criticism of his successor Cyril Ramaphosa, in particular on his economic policy and his management of the party, from which the former secretary general was excluded.
“I have decided that I cannot and will not campaign for Ramaphosa’s ANC in 2024. My conscience will not allow me to lie to the South African people,” he declared to the press, specifying that he would vote for the new Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK) party while remaining a member of the ANC.
The ANC spokesperson could not immediately be reached for comment.
Elections are due to take place between May and August 2024 and after a reign marked by corruption and economic decline, the ANC risks losing its parliamentary majority for the first time since coming to power in 1994.
(Reporting by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo; French version Elizabeth Pineau)
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