South Africa’s ANC moves to remove Zuma as president

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South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) has formally asked President Jacob Zuma to resign, ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule confirmed during a press conference on Tuesday.

Zuma had previously proposed resigning with a notice period of three to six months, but the party could not agree on the timeframe for his exit, Magashule said.

"In its wisdom, the NEC [National Executive Committee] decided... to recall its deployee Jacob Zuma," Magashule told reporters.

The party's powerful 107-member NEC met for 13 hours at a hotel outside Pretoria and made the decision to ask Zuma to step down. Magashule said leading members had not been able to agree on when Zuma should go and the decision was taken after "exhaustive discussions."

Although there was no date for Zuma to step down, Magashule said that there "is still room for negotiation with Zuma" and there would be "continuing interaction" between party officials and Zuma.

ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule gives a press briefing, February 13, 2018. /VCG Photo

Magashule added that Zuma has not been found guilty by any court of law and Zuma confirmed that he will respond to the ANC recall on Wednesday.

"President Jacob Zuma has behaved like a leader of the ANC. He has never threatened us with any court action, not at all," Magashule told state broadcaster SABC on Tuesday.

Zuma's presidency has been marred by corruption scandals, slow economic growth and record unemployment that have fueled public anger. He was scheduled to stand down next year after serving the maximum two terms after coming to power in 2009.

The rand, which has strengthened on signs Zuma could step down before his second term ends mid next year, extended its gains to the dollar on expectations he was on his way out.

The stalemate around Zuma's future plunged South Africa into political uncertainty over who is running the country, with a series of public events cancelled including last Thursday's keynote annual State of the Nation Address to parliament.

Cyril Ramaphosa (C), South African Deputy president, and newly elected president of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) greets people during a church service at St George’s Cathedral, Cape Town, on February 11, 2018./ VCG Photo

The power struggle over Zuma's departure has put the president at loggerheads with Cyril Ramaphosa, his expected successor, who is the new head of the ANC.

Magashule said that the annual State of the Nation Address will be made by Ramaphosa.

Moreover, "We decided as an organization that we want Ramaphosa to become the president," Magashule said on Tuesday.

If Zuma refuses ANC's recall, the matter could go to parliament for a vote of no confidence, but Magashule didn't know whether the ANC will support the motion for a vote of no confidence against Zuma on February 22.

(With inputs from agencies)