Watch: Jacob Zuma responds to resignation calls in SABC interview

jacob zuma linh do flickr

It’s been a confusing few weeks in South African politics, but today President Jacob Zuma finally shed some light on the speculation surrounding his future.

The ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) — the party’s highest decision making bracket — agreed Tuesday that the party would recall Zuma as leader of the nation after a marathon meeting Monday.

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“The decision by the NEC to recall its deployee [President Jacob Zuma] was taken only after exhaustive discussion on the impact such a recall would have on the country, the ANC and the functioning of government,” wrote ANC secretary general Ace Magashule in a presser.

“The decision of the NEC provides certainty to the people of South Africa at a time when the economic and social challenges facing the country require urgent and resolute response by all sections of society.”

Today however, President Jacob Zuma responded with an hour-long interview with the SABC.

He confirmed that he will not resign.

“At the discussions with the NEC, nobody provided me with reasons,” he notes in the interview.

The stream itself peaked at around 45 000 concurrent viewers, while the current upload on the SABC’s YouTube channel has been viewed more than 12 000 times.

But that wasn’t to be the end of South Africa’s “Zuma crisis” as the BBC is now labeling it.

The EFF’s tabled motion of no confidence (yes, another one) will take place tomorrow in Parliament, where house members will vote whether or not President Zuma retains his title.

If the motion is passed and President Jacob Zuma is removed, the Speaker of Parliament Baleka Mbete will become the acting president until a new president is elected. Additionally, the current Zuma administration will be dissolved.

President Zuma has confirmed that he will be releasing a statement in response to the ANC’s calls for his resignation later today.

While the State of the Nation Address (SONA), originally penned for 8 February 2018, may now take place on Friday 16 February.

It might be Wednesday, but it’s going to be a long, long week yet.

And South Africa could have a new president by the end of it.

Feature image: Linh Do via Flickr (CC 2.0 BY)

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