Mixed reception for ANC recall of Zuma
Opposition welcome decision but call for further intervention
NEWS of President Jacob Zuma’s recall by the ANC national executive committee (NEC) has had received mixed reviews from opposition political parties and civil society. ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule confirmed yesterday at a media briefing that the party took the decision on Monday night and that an official letter of recall had been delivered to Zuma.
Magashule said the decision was taken in the interests of the country and that Zuma was expected to respond today.
He said the State of the National address (Sona) would be delivered by ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa.
The ANC’s alliance partners have welcomed the decision. The SACP said this move signalled the first step towards resolving the issues facing the party.
“The decision should pave the way to a deep-going, decisive self-correction and greater ANC and Alliance unity to revitalise democratic support from lost ground towards greater heights,” said the SACP.
Zuma’s refusal to step down has angered opposition political parties.
DA leader Mmusi Maimane said only Parliament could “recall” Zuma, because the president could simply choose to ignore the decision taken by the NEC.
“This recall is an internal ANC resolution, and nothing more. It has no effect on Jacob Zuma’s current status…. Unless he tenders his resignation, this recall is not worth the paper it is printed on,” said Maimane.
Maimane said the only action that could ensure that Zuma was removed, was through a vote of no confidence, in Parliament.
The EFF has written to National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete asking that the debate on Zuma’s fitness to hold office be moved forward to this week – the original date was set for February 22. It’s not clear at this stage whether Mbete will agree.
Opposition political parties have also called for the National Assembly to be dissolved and for fresh elections to be held.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) has also welcomed the ANC’s decision to recall Zuma, but the organisation has raised concern about the ANC not setting a deadline for him to resign. “We are a country in limbo due to Zuma’s continued selfish behaviour. Personal gain has always been his motive and, once again, his conduct is no exception. He has defied everybody to date, including his party, Parliament and the courts.”
Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) also welcomed the decision after Zuma’s refusal to voluntarily step down. “The refusal to resign shows Mr Zuma, and his defenders and supporters are driven by nothing more than avarice, myopia and unbridled self-interest, and it demonstrates that he’s uniquely unfit to hold this important office,” said Bonang Mohale, the chief executive of BLSA.
BLSA said that the impasse over Zuma’s tenure has created debilitating uncertainty for South Africa’s economy as it had deferred important political calendar events, including the delivery of Sona, which effectively opens Parliament, and had threatened the national Budget’s delivery.