The resignation of Moses Mayekiso from the ANC is "long overdue", the party said on Friday.

"He has for years been missing in action, he has been absent in ANC meetings and gatherings. His absenteeism has clearly made him lose touch with his traditional constituency and the people he used to serve," said Gauteng ANC spokesperson Nkenke Kekana.

Mayekiso, an Alexandra member of the party, resigned on Thursday.

Kekana said membership was voluntary and so "he is therefore free to resign and thus betray the trust of our people.

"We urge the ANC dissidents to quickly form their own party of the disgruntled and outline their party policies."

He was referring to this weekend's convention organised by suspended ANC member Terror Lekota and former Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa.

Calling it the "assembly of the disgraced", Nkenke said the party doubted they would convince people to leave the ANC.

ANC president Jacob Zuma and Gauteng party chairperson Paul Mashatile were expected to address a rally in Soweto on Sunday.

Sapa