South Africa’s Zuma finally forced to quit
JACOB Zuma finally stepped down as president of South Africa last night after nine controversial years in power.
Mr Zuma quit in a live address to the nation – still saying he disagreed with the way he had been pushed out of office.
His party, the African National Congress, had demanded he resign following the election of Cyril Ramaphosa as his successor.
In his 30-minute farewell address the 75-year-old, who is facing 800 counts of corruption, admitted he ‘ must accept’ the ANC’s decision to replace him. He said: ‘Even though I disagree with the decision of the leadership of my organisation, I have always been a disciplined member of the ANC.’
Mr Zuma had refused to hand over the presidency and a vote of no- confidence was scheduled to take place today. The ANC’s National Executive Committee had given him one last chance to resign on Tuesday when it delivered a letter to his home urging him to quit.
For South Africans, who have suffered economic stagnation and national embarrassment following the endless allegations of corruption against him, his presidency only highlighted the failure of national politics.
The party suffered major setbacks in South Africa’s local elections in 2016 and is at-risk of losing its majority in general elections scheduled for next year.
In a rambling interview this week with state broadcaster SABC Mr Zuma denied he was defying the ANC leadership.
He said: ‘I don’t agree, as there is no evidence of if I have done anything wrong.’
In 2006 Mr Zuma was acquitted of raping a family friend and he is still challenging almost 800 counts of corruption over a government arms deal from the late 1990s when he was deputy president.
Despite presenting himself as an anti-apartheid veteran, Mr Zuma’s waning political credentials were confirmed last December when deputy president Ramaphosa replaced him as ruling party leader. He was further embarrassed when he failed to repay public money he had used to renovate his home.