Zuma’s Last Days: Thursday’s Confidence Vote to decide Zuma’s fate

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) party has requested Zuma to resign as head of state or face vote of confidence[Nic Bothma/EPA]

Zuma’s Last Days: Thursday’s Confidence vote to decide Zuma’s fate

If President Jacob Zuma refuses to resign today, he will face a Confidence Vote by the South African Parliament in the 24 hours. The vote will determine whether Zuma hangs on to power or relinquishes it just soon. But there are indications that Zuma will not pull off this controversy.

Things are just happening too fast and Zuma is not laying hold of things any longer.

In December, his position as the leader of the ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC) was snatched from him and given to his Deputy, Cyril Ramaphosa.

On Tuesday, the ANC asked Zuma to step down over the corruption allegations. Upon his refusal, the party on Wednesday has decided to push ahead with the vote of confidence which it is expected that Zuma will fail.

The police in Johannesburg on Wednesday raided a luxury home of the Gupta family, an Indian immigrant businessmen family that lies at the heart of corruption allegations levelled at Zuma.

Ruling ANC party to table motion of no-confidence against President Jacob Zuma on Thursday.

ANC treasurer general Paul Mashatile told a media briefing on Wednesday that the party is starting “a new era.

“The conference of ANC (in December) has created new hope. Our people want to see change. We want to go with renewal,” Mashatile said, adding that the deadline given to Zuma would expire on Wednesday night.

If Zuma resigns, the cabinet would stay, Mashatile said, but should he be removed via a no-confidence vote, the entire cabinet would have to be removed, the ANC treasurer general added.

Zuma is expected to issue a statement later on Wednesday.

The ANC said parliament could elect the country’s new president as soon as Thursday if Zuma goes.