The MK leader is exploiting growing ANC discomfort at Ramaphosa's close relationship with big business.

Listen to this article 7 min Listen to this article 7 min Expelled by the ANC on Friday, Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party leader and former head of state Jacob Zuma took a day to state his true intention: to take back the ANC.

In an interview in the Sunday Times, Zuma said: "When we were establishing the MK party - we met as black parties ... and agreed that we are going to take over ... it's something that happened."

On Friday, 22 November, the ANC national disciplinary appeals committee, headed by Johnny de Lange, Soviet Lekganyane and Noxolo Kiviet, upheld Zuma's expulsion. This ended an affiliation that started when Zuma joined the ANC at 17 - he is now 82.

"Mr Zuma's behaviour exemplifies the highest form of ill-discipline and a direct assault on the historical mission of the ANC. By establishing and leading a rival political party, he abandoned the core values of organisational loyalty and collective accountability, converting himself into a tool for destabilisation," the party said.

"His [Zuma's] actions have undermined the unity and cohesion of the movement at a time when it is critical to consolidate and push forward with organisational renewal and confront...