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.
Fellow South Africans is now official, your last hope is indeed the @EFFSouthAfrica . pic.twitter.com/xz6QBz6p53
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) February 14, 2018
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.
Section 102 (2) of RSA Constitution says “if the NA, by a vote supported by a majority of its members, passes a motion of no confidence in the President, the President and the other members of the Cabinet and any Deputy Minister MUST resign. SA Let’s start to say #ByeMinisters! pic.twitter.com/0n6yd32tVq
— Floyd Shivambu (@FloydShivambu) February 14, 2018
President Zuma has confirmed that he will be releasing a statement in response to the ANC’s calls for his resignation later today.
ANC TO AWAIT STATEMENT TO BE RELEASED BY PRESIDENT ZUMA pic.twitter.com/C96cuIEgIT
— African National Congress (@MYANC) February 14, 2018
While the State of the Nation Address (SONA), originally penned for 8 February 2018, may now take place on Friday 16 February.
SONA looks like it’s going to be this Friday evening.
— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) February 14, 2018
It might be Wednesday, but it’s going to be a long, long week yet.
Speaker of #Parliament #BalekaMbete says if the #MotionofNoConfidence is passed, events will follow accordingly:
Thurs: Motion of no confidence
Fri: Swearing in of new President and #SONA
Mon: Debate on SONA
Tues: Response to the debate on #SONA2018
Wed: Budget speech— SA Gov News (@SAgovnews) February 14, 2018
And South Africa could have a new president by the end of it.
