Jacob Zuma bows to pressure, steps down as South Africa’s President; Successor to be announced
South Africa’s embattled President Jacob Zuma has finally bowed to pressure and has stepped down from his position with immediate effect.
Zuma, 75, made the announcement in a televised address to the nation late Wednesday evening.
Zuma, who said in his speech that he has “served the people of South Africa to the best of my ability”, had been embroiled in corruption claims throughout his nine year rule.
It is believed that Zuma’s decision to hang on to power was made more difficult due to constant criticism from the civil society that consistently called government to account on corrupt practices.
The governing African National Congress has announced it would elect Zuma successor’s on Thursday (today).
“We will possibly elect a new president on Thursday … if not Friday,” ANC treasurer general Paul Mashatile told journalists.
“We want certainty. We would like the incoming president to hold the postponed State of the Nation address without delay.”
Zuma’s ANC party members, whom he said he was displeased at their actions towards him, say he did not threaten to challenge his removal by the party in court as speculated by the local media.
Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha had, months ago, honoured Zuma with a statue in the state, much to the chagrin of Nigerians.
