JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) has affirmed former President Jacob Zuma's expulsion from the party after its appeal committee rejected his appeal, the ANC said Friday.
Zuma was initially suspended from the ANC in January for endorsing and leading the uMkhonto weSizwe Party. The former ANC leader was eventually expelled in July and opted to appeal the party's decision.
On Friday, the ANC National Disciplinary Committee of Appeal upheld the ruling of the National Disciplinary Committee to expel Zuma.
"By establishing and leading a rival political party, he abandoned the core values of organizational loyalty and collective accountability, converting himself into a tool for destabilization," the ANC said in a statement.
The decision reaffirms the ANC's commitment to revolutionary discipline, which is a core foundation of the party's movement and ensures its unity of purpose and unity in action, said the ANC. ■