Beleaguered Zuma holds private exit talks

SOUTH Africa’s Deputy President has promised to conclude a power transition in which he would succeed Jacob Zuma, who faces widespread demands to resign over corruption allegations.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa consolidated his control of the government yesterday and delivered from the balcony of Cape Town’s City Hall what amounted to a stateof-the-nation address of the kind President Zuma was unable to give as planned last week due to the leadership crisis.

Mr Zuma’s expected successor set out his agenda for the year in his televised speech, which marked the start of celebrations for the centenary of Nelson Mandela’s birth on July 18.

Then he broached to the topic people really wanted to hear about – his confidential negotiations in recent days with Mr Zuma over the 75-year-old Presiskimpy, dent’s exit after a scandal-marred tenure.

The ruling ANC party’s national executive will discuss Mr Zuma’s fate today “and because our people want this matter finalised, the national executive committee will be doing precisely that,” Mr Ramaphosa added.

He said his discussions with Mr Zuma had to be conducted with “care and purpose” and with the aim of uniting South Africans.

The political opposition criticised the private talks, saying the President may have been pressing for an “exit package” in exchange for his resignation.

The Democratic Alliance, the main opposition party, referred to unconfirmed media reports Mr Zuma demanded a state security detail for him and his family as well as payment by the state of his legal fees.

“He must be prosecuted and, if found guilty, be locked up for his crimes,” the Democratic Alliance said.