The ANC Greater Johannesburg Region has confirmed receiving Thuthukile Zuma’s resignation letter from the Regional Executive Committee (REC), but says it first learnt of the resignation on social media before the Office of the Regional Secretary had formally received and processed the correspondence.
In a statement issued by regional secretary Sasabona Manganye on Tuesday night, the region said it notes the resignation letter by Zuma, which circulated on social media before it had been formally received.
“The ANC Joburg Region notes the resignation letter by Cde Thuthukile Zuma, which circulated on social media before the Office of the Regional Secretary had formally received and processed the correspondence,” the region said.
The statement comes after Zuma, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, resigned from the REC with immediate effect, following disciplinary proceedings instituted against her.
In her resignation letter dated November 10 and addressed to Manganye, Zuma rejected allegations of misconduct levelled against her, accusing the regional leadership of victimisation, censorship and intolerance of dissenting views.
She said she did not believe the allegations were supported by any constitutional provisions that established how her conduct or performance as an REC member amounted to misconduct.
She also defended her public criticism of ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula and the handling of the party’s candidate list submission process ahead of the local government elections.
But the region has now pushed back, insisting that Zuma was already facing an organisational process before her resignation.
The region said prior to receiving the resignation letter, it had initiated an organisational process by writing to Zuma on 15 October 2026, requesting her to make representations on why she should not face disciplinary action.
The region listed two concerns: alleged failure to discharge her responsibilities as an elected member of the REC, and alleged violation of the ANC Social Media Protocols utilising her X account to attack the ANC secretary-general.
In relation to the first allegation, the region’s records reflect that Zuma has been absent in most of the regional meetings since her election.
Concerns were also raised regarding her attendance at regional elections meetings, participation in assigned subcommittee responsibilities, fulfilment of her Zone 3 deployment and involvement in election campaign activities.
“Cde Thuthu was initially afforded seven days to respond to the letter. Following requests for additional time, the Region granted extensions, ultimately allowing her until 20 November 2026 to submit her representations,” the region said.
On 10 November 2026, the region received her resignation letter.
“The Region notes the issues raised in the correspondence and will consider its contents alongside the matters previously communicated to her, in accordance with the ANC Constitution and applicable organisational procedures,” it said.
The region emphasised that elected organisational responsibilities carry obligations of participation, accountability and commitment to the collective work of the movement.
“All members are expected to uphold the ANC Constitution, respect organisational processes and conduct themselves in accordance with the ANC Social Media Protocols,” the region said.
“The Region further encourages members to raise organisational concerns and differences through the appropriate structures and established internal processes.”
Zuma, in her letter, had accused the REC of failing to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities, saying meetings were repeatedly not convened, leaving members without platforms to raise concerns and deliberate on organisational matters.
She also alleged that members were being censored during virtual meetings and removed from the REC’s WhatsApp group for expressing views that were not supported by the regional secretary.
She said she had previously raised these concerns in meetings and through formal correspondence, but the organisation had not meaningfully responded to her complaints.
She linked the tensions within the regional structure to what she described as a broader culture of intolerance within the ANC, arguing that political engagement was increasingly being replaced by factional intolerance and the suppression of dissent.
She also revisited her opposition to the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU), saying structures of the ANC were not given an opportunity to reflect on the party’s electoral decline or debate the political implications of including the DA in government.
She said this prompted her to participate in a picket outside an ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to express her opposition to the coalition arrangement, an act she said was met with threats of disciplinary action.
She also raised concerns about persistent attempts to associate her political views with those of her parents, former president Jacob Zuma and former ANC NEC member Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
She said she had been subjected to taunts portraying her as an agent of the two political figures, instead of being judged on her own conduct and contribution to the ANC.
The resignation, however, does not amount to her leaving the ANC. Zuma made it clear that she remains a member of the organisation.
She said her decision to leave the REC should not be interpreted as an admission of wrongdoing.
The region, however, struck a firm tone on discipline.
“Organisational discipline, accountability and respect for collective leadership remain fundamental to the character and functioning of the ANC. Revolutionary commitment must be reflected not only in words but also in active organisational work, principled conduct and service to the people,” it said.
“The Region remains committed to upholding the Constitution and organisational processes of the African National Congress.”
Zuma was elected to the ANC Greater Johannesburg REC in June 2022.