Pretoria (February 15, 2018): Jacob Zuma, South Africa’s embattled president, has announced his resignation in a televised address to the nation.
“I have to come to decision to resign with immediate effect,” he said on Wednesday in Pretoria.
In a long speech, Mr Zuma at first didn’t make clear whether he intended to go. However he eventually confirmed he would quit with immediate effect.
“No life should be lost in my name. The ANC should never been divided in my name. I have therefore come to the decision to resign as president of the Republic with immediate effect,” he said. “Although I disagree with the decision of the membership I have always been a disciplined member.”
South Africa’s Constitutional Court ruled last December that parliament had failed to hold Zuma accountable over the alleged use of state funds to upgrade his rural home in Nkandla.
That followed an earlier court decision in April 2016 that found Zuma had “failed to uphold, defend and respect the Constitution”.
It resulted in an impeachment vote that same month, but the motion failed to pass when parliament, where the ANC holds a majority, voted 233 to 143 in Zuma’s favour.
Zuma was also found to have given favour to an Indian immigrant family known as the Guptas, in what became known as the state capture scandal.
It was reported that the family wielded such influence over Zuma that they were able to decide who got appointed to the cabinet.
Zuma has always claimed his innocence and some South Africans still defend him, saying he was targeted unfairly in a system that is underpinned by corruption.
Related News:
