“Zuma Must Go” and Other Reactions Since Friday’s Apology

The number of politicians, organisations and media calling for President Jacob Zuma to step down has mounted considerably since Thursday’s momentous court decision saying he had failed to defend or respect the constitution – although senior African National Party members have either dismissed the idea of his resignation or said it would only create more problems.

Sunday Times Says It’s Time to Go

The Sunday Times in South Africa blazoned its front page on Sunday with the words “For the sake of your country Mr President Go Now!”

The New York Times Says it Too

“Time for South Africa’s Jacob Zuma to Step Down” the New York Times said in an editorial, adding that “Cronyism, corruption and scandal have swirled around Jacob Zuma since before he became president of South Africa in May 2009, and the muck has only deepened since.”

Five ANC Leaders Reportedly Tell Zuma to Go

According to Rapport newspaper, five of the African National Congress’s top six leaders – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe, Deputy-Secretary General Jessie Duarte, Treasurer Zweli Mkhize and Chairwoman Baleka Mbete – visited Zuma on 1 April to convince him to resign.  He reportedly refused, and the paper quoted sources saying he would only do so after local government elections later this year.

But Mantashe Says Top 6 Unanimously Support Zuma

ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe told a press conference on 1 April after Zuma apologised for the Nkandla saga that the top six members of the ANC (including five of those mentioned in the Rapport story) were unanimously behind Zuma. Mantashe admitted that firing Zuma would “tear the ANC apart”.

Zuma, Meanwhile, Sees Himself as Shepherd

Zuma told a meeting of people gathered for a drought relief imbizo in Kwazulu-Natal on Sunday, “As your shepherd, let me lead you.”

Debate to Impeach Zuma on Tuesday

The Democratic Alliance’s motion to debate the impeachment of Zuma will take place in Parliament on Tuesday.

But Some Say Zuma Will Resign on Monday

Several reports in the media have suggested that Zuma will resign after a meeting of the ANC’s national working committee on Monday, which is gathering to discuss the Constitutional Court’s ruling last Thursday.

Words to Haunt Zuma, by Zuma

When Thabo Mbeki was sacked as president so that Zuma could take over, Zuma said: “The decision to recall him was not taken lightly, but it had to be taken in the interests of making the country move forward.”

Defense Union Calls Zuma’s Actions “Despicable”

The South African National Defense Union released a statement saying “It is in SANDU’s opinion absolutely despicable that the President, as Commander in Chief of the SANDF, has transgressed the very Constitution which the Defence Force over which he holds command, is constitutionally charged with upholding…. SANDU encourages all members of society, including soldiers to participate in their private capacity and time in any lawful mass action campaigns which might be called to the end of lawfully recalling and or removing President Zuma from office.”

Thuli’s Remark on Zuma’s Apology

The public protector, who came out the victor in the Constitution Court’s hearing, the David against Zuma’s Goliath, tweeted after Zuma’s public apology – in which he in effect blamed his legal team and the public works department for the inflated bills (and more) at Nkandla, “We all make mistakes but it is when we fail to take responsibility for or blame others for them that we fail as persons and as leaders”.

Vytjie Mentor Lists Zuma’s “Litany of Untruths”

On her Facebook page, the parliamentarian who says she was approached by the Gupta family to get a cabinet post, but Zuma said he didn’t know her, released a list of numerous Zuma denials. (It’s worth reading.)