Zuma’s resolve finally broken as he’s forced to resign, ending controversial 9-year reign

South Africa’s embattled President Jacob Zuma has resigned from office with “immediate effect” after pressure became unbearable for the defiant South African leader.

He made the announcement in a televised address to the nation on Wednesday evening.

Earlier, Zuma’s governing ANC party told him to step down or face a vote of no confidence in parliament.

The 75-year-old has been under increasing pressure to give way to Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, the ANC’s new leader.

Zuma, who has been in power since 2009, faces numerous allegations of corruption.

His resignation came at the end of a long speech in which he said he disagreed with the way the ANC had handled his situation.

He remarked that he did not fear a motion of no-confidence, adding, “I have served the people of South Africa to the best of my ability.”

Zuma also said that violence and division within the ANC had influenced his decision to step down.

“No life should be lost in my name and also the ANC should never be divided in my name. I have therefore come to the decision to resign as president of the republic with immediate effect,” 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.

“As I leave I will continue to serve the people of South Africa as well as the ANC, the organisation I have served… all of my life.”

The ANC issued a statement saying Zuma’s resignation provided “certainty to the people of South Africa”.

Deputy Secretary General Jessie Duarte told reporters, “President Zuma remains a principled member of the ANC. The ANC wants to salute the outstanding contribution he has made.”

Zuma, a former member of the ANC’s military wing in the days of apartheid, rose through the ranks of the party to become president. He led the country for more than a third of its time after apartheid.

But he leaves office with several scandals hanging over him, and with South Africa’s economy seriously challenged.

A meeting of the ANC’s National Executive Committee had announced its decision to recall Zuma on Tuesday and gave him until the end of Wednesday to resign.

ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu then announced a motion of no-confidence would be heard on Thursday, with Cyril Ramaphosa sworn in as president as soon as possible after that.

Read also: Zuma not going down without a fight as ANC prepares for no-confidence vote against him

Meanwhile, also emanating from South Africa is the sad news of the death of Zimbabwe’s main opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai.

His death was confirmed by a senior official in his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party.

Tsvangirai, 65, a former prime minister, had reportedly been suffering from colon cancer.

“He died this evening. The family communicated this to me,” MDC vice president Elias Mudzuri said.

Tsvangirai’s career was marked by a long political struggle against former President Robert Mugabe.

He had been beaten and imprisoned numerous times.

Announcing Tsvangirai’s death, Mr Mudzuri said on Twitter that the MDC had “lost our icon and fighter for democracy”.

Tsvangirai founded the MDC in 2000, repeatedly challenging Mugabe during the ex-president’s long grip on power.

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now