Three of the South African President’s cabinet Ministers, have called on Jacob Zuma, to resign, over latest corruption scandal, which has rocked his government, VOA has confirmed.
Reports indicate that Tourism Minister, Derek Hanekom; Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi; and Public Works Minister, Thulas Nxesi; have all called on Zuma, to step down, at a meeting of the ruling African National Congress, ANC, over the weekend, that was extended into Monday.
Political Analyst, Ranjeni Munusamy, wrote on the Daily Maverick website that, “There is no doubt that Zuma is fighting for his political life.
“Zuma’s time in office has been mired in numerous controversies, and increasingly, his fellow ANC Lawmakers, and Activists, have called on him to step down.
“He is hanging on, while it is clear that large sections of the ANC, and alliance no longer want him as President,” Munusamy said. “The countdown to Zuma’s exit has begun.”
The President, who has faced mounting criticism of his leadership, came under further pressure this month, when a corruption probe, unearthed fresh allegations of misconduct.
The probe by the country’s top watchdog, investigated possible criminal activity in Zuma’s relationship with the Guptas, a business family accused of wielding undue political influence.
However, Zuma, 74, retains strong loyalty among many rank-and-file ANC party members, as well as its Lawmakers, easily surviving a vote of no confidence in parliament, on November 10.
Increasing numbers of anti-apartheid veterans, ANC Activists, Trade Unions, Civil Groups, and Business Leaders, have called for Zuma, to resign in recent months.
“There is no doubt that Zuma is fighting for his political life,” Analyst Ranjeni Munusamy wrote on the Daily Maverick website, on Monday.
“He is hanging on, while it is clear that large sections of the ANC, and alliance no longer want him as President… The countdown to Zuma’s exit has begun.”
The ANC, which has ruled since Nelson Mandela won the first post-apartheid elections in 1994, has seen its popularity dive, with local polls in August, delivering the party’s worst-ever result.
Zuma’s term in office ends in 2019, but the ANC is due to elect a new party leader at the end of next year, and could decide to replace him as Head of State.
South Africa’s highest court this year, found him guilty of violating the constitution, after he refused to repay taxpayers’ money, used to refurbish his private rural house.
He is also fighting a court order, that could reinstate almost 800 corruption charges against him, over a multi-billion dollar arms deal in the 1990s.
International credit rating firm, Fitch, on Friday, dropped its outlook for South Africa, from stable, to negative, pointing to the country’s recent political turmoil.
Zuma, has also been engulfed by a power struggle with Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan, while economic growth has fallen to 0.5 percent, and unemployment hit a 13-year high.
Zuma’s loyalists have been at loggerheads with Gordhan, a Reformist, who is widely respected among international investors.
When Zuma leaves office, the three leading possible successors are his ex-wife African Union Chief, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma; Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa; and ANC Treasurer-General, Zweli Mkhize.
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