ANC says deciding whether to remove Zuma as president
JOHANNESBURG: South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) is in the process of deciding whether to cut short President Jacob Zuma’s tenure as head of state, the party’s secretary general told a news conference.
The announcement is a fresh blow to Zuma who has seen his power within the party wane since Cyril Ramaphosa succeeded him as ANC leader at an election last month, putting the deputy president in pole position to become national leader.
Zuma has ruled since 2009 and is due to step down after elections next year but senior ANC leaders say Ramaphosa wants him out before that and Ramaphosa himself has said the question of the president’s tenure would be addressed.
“We have not arrived at the decision that Zuma must go, or Zuma must not go,” ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule told a news conference on the outcome of a four-day ANC meeting that ended on Sunday.
“Officials were seized with this matter and officials will remain seized with this matter,” he said, adding that Ramaphosa would “continuously interact” with Zuma over his future as president.
Zuma could be removed through a motion of no confidence in parliament or by the ANC’s National Executive Committee.
There was no immediate comment from Zuma’s spokesman.
Zuma’s departure would make it easier for Ramaphosa to revitalise the economy and tackle corruption.
It could also boost the party’s electoral chances next year because it would no longer be so closely associated with Zuma’s legacy.
The ANC has held power since it won an election at the end of apartheid in 1994, but it now faces a revitalised opposition and could be set for a tough battle next year. — Reuters