Zuma’s ninth life has almost run out

Talks with Ramaphosa over exit terms continue in earnest

PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma could possibly make his last public appearance as South Africa’s commander-in-chief at an awards ceremony in Cape Town this weekend as pressure mounts on him to resign from within, and outside the ANC.

Yesterday, opposition parties in Parliament insisted that they would force the election of a new president before the State of the Nation Address (Sona).

Zuma is scheduled to officiate at the Ubuntu Awards at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Saturday but was not expected to appear alongside ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa at the Grand Parade to mark the release from prison of Nelson Mandela.

Ramaphosa earlier called on South Africans not be anxious about the transition, saying discussions with Zuma would be concluded soon.

At Parliament, a meeting between opposition parties and Speaker Baleka Mbete came to naught over a decision on a new date for the Sona.

Opposition parties yesterday said they refused to be drawn into the ANC’s internal battles.

But Energy Minister David Mahlobo called for cool heads yesterday, saying Ramaphosa and Zuma would finalise discussions soon.

The two were locked in another meeting yesterday and ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu was seen going to Tuynhuys, where he remained for several hours. Mthembu refused to comment earlier.

Ramaphosa assured the talks with Zuma would be concluded soon and be in the best interests of the country. “I am aware the uncertainty surrounding the position of the head of state and government is a cause for concern among many South Africans. This is understandable. However, I am certain

that the process we have now embarked on will achieve an outcome that not only addresses these concerns, but also unites our people around the tasks that all of us must necessarily undertake to build our country.

“We will be able to communicate further on Zuma’s position as president of the republic once we have finalised all pertinent matters,” said Ramaphosa.

He said the business of Parliament and government would continue.

Independent Media has learnt from two national executive committee (NEC) members that Zuma has agreed to leave office.

This comes after he initially refused to agree to step down when he met the ANC’s Top Six leadership on Sunday night.

“We are still going to be engaged by the ANC president on the finer details of the conditions for this agreement,” one of the NEC members said.

However, opposition parties were having none of this and demanded Zuma’s immediate recall.

The parties have called for a meeting on Monday to discuss the motion of no confidence that was scheduled for February 22 and the election of a new president in Parliament.

Zuma’s initial refusal to leave the Union Buildings saw talk on his recall dominating the discussions of the ANC’s national working committee on Monday, which later resolved on calling for a special meeting of the NEC – the party’s highest decision-making body – to recommend that Zuma be recalled.

Yesterday’s planned meeting, however, was also postponed to next week after Ramaphosa indicated that he and Zuma were finding each other on the calls for his departure.

Mthembu had earlier said he was confident that there would be no need for a motion of no confidence against Zuma as the matter of his fate would likely have been resolved by the party by February 22.

Mahlobo said Zuma and Ramaphosa must be allowed to conclude their discussions.

“Let’s give the leadership a chance. Those discussions are between elders, let’s respect that,” said Mahlobo.

He said that there was no anxiety in government and cabinet meetings were continuing.

He said the ANC would get feedback on the discussions at its NEC meeting on February 17.

WE WILL BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE FURTHER ON ZUMA’S POSITION AS THE PRESIDENT ONCE WE HAVE FINALISED ALL PERTINENT MATTERS