#ZumaExit: Zuma must go! ANC resolves to recall JZ

JOHANNESBURG - Following a lengthy special meeting lasting almost 13 hours, the African National Congress's (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) has decided to recall Jacob Zuma from the Union Buildings.

The party's NEC members started their meeting in Irene at 2pm on Monday afternoon, following days of negotiations between ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa and Zuma.

A special NEC meeting called for last week was called off shortly after an announcement by the speaker of the National Assembly, Baleka Mbete, that the State of the Nation Address - meant to take place last Thursday - was going to be postponed to an undetermined date.

NEC Meeting is done.they are leaving. #ZumaExit CM pic.twitter.com/DWan1Oow4t

— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) February 13, 2018

Eyewitness News understands that when Ramaphosa and secretary-general Ace Magashule went to tell Zuma that the NEC wants him to resign or face being recalled, he told them to “do what they want to do”.

The NEC then deliberated further until it decided to recall him.

Sources in the NEC have told EWN that Zuma asked to stay for the next few months to attend an African Union meeting and the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Summit.

They say the party’s leaders have decided that Ramaphosa must be sworn in as president.

The ANC will now invoke section 12.2.21.2 of its Constitution, which deals with the recall of the president and inform Zuma of this decision.

Meanwhile, ANC veteran Mavuso Msimang has reacted to the news.

“A vote of no confidence before he used up his time that he was given, he was given 48 hours. It would be very dishonourable of them to start talking about a vote of no confidence before the expiry of 48 hours, so you’re talking about Thursday perhaps.”

It's unclear when the party will make a formal announcement.

Just a few months ago, Zuma said he would never resign voluntarily:"I will never on my own resign, because if I did so I would, I will be surrendering to the monopoly capital.

"I asked what is it that I have done wrong. I have asked those who have talked to me to tell me what I have done wrong. When I ask them, they run out of answers."

'ANC MUST GO'

Opposition parties say not only must Zuma go, but so too the ANC. They’re confident Zuma will be ousted in a no-confidence vote and will then move to have Parliament dissolved. If that succeeds, a big if, elections must be held within 90 days.

EFF leader Julius Malema says: “The problem is not Zuma, the problem is not Cyril, the problem is the ANC. So the ANC must be voted out and the people of South Africa are now given an opportunity to choose properly.”

They say Parliament itself has been found wanting in dealing with Zuma’s breaches of the Constitution.
DA leader Mmusi Maimane adds: “Anybody who wants the lead the ANC, wants to lead Parliament or lead the people of South Africa must have a mandate from the people.”

National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete has until 10am this morning to respond to an ultimatum from opposition parties.

This is a developing story. More information to follow. Stay with EWN.