After a 13-hour meeting that stretched from yesterday into the early hours of this morning, the six seniormost leaders of the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) decided to instruct South African President Jacob Zuma to resign immediately.
ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa and Secretary General Ace Magashule then drove to Zuma’s official residence in Pretoria to give him an ultimatum to resign or face a recall. The President refused to resign.
Zuma is said to have demanded to stay on at the Union Buildings for another three months, to attend at least two upcoming events. The NEC rejected his conditions.
Now, it is up to Parliament to remove the President by means of a motion of no confidence vote. The EFF, an opposition party, has tabled such a vote, and requested that Speaker Baleka Mbete inform the public of a date for the vote by 10am today. A majority ‘leave’ vote would be required out of all Members of Parliament to remove the President.
Zuma is facing over 700 corruption charges, with an imminent announcement by Shaun Abrahams, the National Director of Public Prosecutions, as to whether the President will be prosecuted.
In light of recent developments – with growing economic uncertainty, political instability, and pressure from the public – those on the NEC who do not persist with support for Zuma are eager to resolve the matter of his exit. Doing so would boost investor confidence, stabilize Parliament, allow for the 2018 State of the Nation Address to take place, and give SA citizens the sense of relief they deserve after a number of tumultuous years.
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