The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has given Soth African President Jacob Zuma an ultimatum to resign or face a motion of no confidence in Parliament.
However, Zuma has rejected the ultimatum, saying that he should be given six more months to remain in office he hands over to his successor.
Gwede Mantashe, ANC chairman who told hundreds of ANC supporters at the Umsobomvu Community Hall in Butterworth in the Eastern Cape on Tuesday, said same day the party confirmed its national executive committee had taken a decision to recall Zuma as head of state as he had refused to go of his own accord.
“We have allowed him to make up his own mind to resign on his own, in order for him not to forfeit his benefits. When he refused to do so, we applied rule 12.1-2-1.2, which says ANC has the authority to deploy and recall and it is not a disciplinary process, we (ANC) are not charging you, but discharging a political decision to recall you,” said Mantashe, who was in the area for the continuation of the ANC’s 106th birthday celebrations and to address divisions at the Mnquma Local Municipal Council.
He said if Zuma continued to refuse to obey, the ANC would have no option but to allow a motion of no confidence in him to take place.
Mantashe said: “A disciplined cadre of the ANC, you are given a chance to resign on your own, but if you lack discipline you will resist. Once you resist we are going to let you be thrown out through the vote of no confidence because you disrespect the organisation and you disobey it, therefore we are going to let you be devoured by the vultures.”
There were jubilations and applause as Mantashe was talking on this matter.
On Tuesday, the ANC officially recalled Zuma despite his pleas for an extended stay at the Union Buildings. In a press conference at ANC HQ Luthuli House in Johannesburg, ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule confirmed that the party’s officials had communicated the NEC decision to the president.
African News Agency (ANA)
