The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal has expelled its former member of the provincial legislature (MPL) and MP Mervyn Dirks for joining the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party. Dirks confirmed his expulsion on Monday, 26 February, after sharing a letter signed by provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo, dated 25 February, 2024.
The letter stated, “This letter serves to inform you that you have been expelled from the African National Congress because you have joined another political party, contravening Rule 25.17.13 of the ANC. This action taken against you is admitted by yourself to the provincial secretary, who is the chief administrative officer of the organisation in the province.”
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Dirks, however, remains unfazed by the expulsion. In fact, he expressed feeling good about it. He stated, “My only mission now is to mobilise votes for MK. I will not speak about any other political party.”
This is not the first time Dirks has faced disciplinary action from the ANC. He was previously sworn in as an ANC KwaZulu-Natal MPL in June 2023 but resigned from the National Assembly amid a fallout with ANC parliament leaders in January 2022.
His resignation came after failing to overturn his suspension from parliament following a dispute with ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina.
In his efforts to address allegations of mismanagement of public funds, Dirks had written to parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts requesting that President Cyril Ramaphosa be summoned to answer for the claims.
This request was related to an audio recording in which Ramaphosa acknowledged knowing party members who used public funds for their political campaigns ahead of the ANC’s 2017 Nasrec elective conference. Ramaphosa, however, expressed his unwillingness to disclose the names, citing concerns about the party’s image.
While ANC’s head of the presidency, Sibongile Besani, confirmed the authenticity of the leaked recording, he dismissed suggestions that Ramaphosa was attempting to shield party members by covering up information on corruption.
In conclusion, Mervyn Dirks’ expulsion from the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal marks another chapter in his turbulent relationship with the party. As he embarks on his mission to mobilise support for the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, his actions and statements are likely to attract attention and scrutiny in the political landscape.
 in KwaZulu-Natal for joining the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party. Learn about his previous disciplinary actions and his mission to mobilise support for the new party. Stay updated with the latest political developments in South Africa.){kind=link}