The ruling African National Congress of South Africa on Tuesday decided to recall the country’s President Jacob Zuma and sack him as head of state.
After hours of meetings and negotiations, local media reported that Mr. Zuma was not willing to resign as was requested by the leadership of the ANC, hence the decision to remove him from office.
ANC’s Secretary-General Ace Magashule at a news conference on Tuesday said that a delegation had visited Mr Zuma and asked him to step down.
“The president… agreed in principle to resign under a proposed timeframe extending from three to six months,” Mr Magashule said.
“South Africa is going through a period of uncertainty and anxiety,” Mr Magashule added and “The [National Executive Committee] firmly believes the situation requires us to act firmly.”
#Magashule The NEC therefore decided as follows: To recall its deployee, Comrade Jacob Zuma, in accordance with Rule 12.2.21.2 of the ANC Constitution, which accords the NEC the authority to “recall any public representative”.
— African National Congress (@MYANC) February 13, 2018
The ANC has said that its decision to recall Jacob Zuma is final and will not be reversed.
#Magashule The decision of the #ANCNEC to recall Cde Zuma is final. It can’t and will not change. We will treat Cde Zuma with dignity and we will not humiliate him.
— African National Congress (@MYANC) February 13, 2018
#Magashule It’s important to note that this is the decision of the #ANCNEC as a collective, not any other grouping. We are expecting that Comrade Zuma will respond tomorrow
— African National Congress (@MYANC) February 13, 2018
Reuters quoted one of its sources as saying that the ANC leader, Cyril Ramaphosa “went to speak with him,” with reports claiming that the discussions were “tense and difficult”.
Monday leaders of the South African opposition political parties pushed for the dissolution of the country’s parliament and demanded fresh elections as pressure mounts on President Jacob Zuma to resign.
The parties especially the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) filed a motion of no-confidence in President Jacob Zuma which is scheduled to be debated on February 22. But the EFF is asking for the debate to be held this week.
President Zuma’s tenure since 2009 has been characterized by corruption allegations with several failed impeachment attempts.
Source: Africafeeds.com
