ANC caucus to pass motion of no confidence against Zuma

International Desk: The African National Congress (ANC) parliamentary caucus on Wednesday agreed to table a motion of no confidence against President Jacob Zuma on Thursday.

ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile told journalists on Wednesday that he had informed the caucus of the ANC national executive committee's decision to recall Zuma‚ after which the meeting had agreed to vote for Zuma's removal. Mashatile said ANC leader Cyril Ramaphosa would then be voted in as state president.

Mashatile said Zuma had been given until Wednesday to submit his resignation letter.

"We can no longer wait beyond today. President Zuma might respond later but we can't keep South Africans waiting‚" said Mashatile.

ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu said the governing party would hold talks with the EFF‚ which has proposed a motion of no confidence against Zuma. Mthembu said the ANC had the option of amending the EFF motion and then voting in favour of booting Zuma out of office.

The motion is expected to be scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

ANC sources said only deputy minister of communications, Tandi Mahambehlala, tried to start a debate on the matter‚ but she was shot down by the majority of MPs.

The caucus met amid heightened political tensions within the governing party‚ which has failed to convince Zuma to leave office voluntarily.

The caucus meeting coincided with the arrest of three people linked to the Hawks' state capture investigation. The elite squad earlier on Wednesday pounced on properties belonging to the Guptas‚ who have been fingered along with Zuma in allegations of state capture.

The caucus was initially meant to meet at 10am but that was pushed to 11am after expectations that Zuma would address the nation at the former time.

However‚ the Presidency later issued a statement suggesting Zuma was not yet ready to make a public announcement. There had been growing speculation that Zuma might step down after an ANC ultimatum.

Source: Agencies


risingbd/Dhaka/Feb 14, 2018/AI