Share

Give Zuma space to tender resignation, ANC asks SA public

Johannesburg - The ANC is asking the public to grant President Jacob Zuma space to tender his resignation, party spokesperson Pule Mabe said during a press briefing on Wednesday.

Mabe said the ANC was reassured that Zuma would tender his resignation before the end of the day.

This was after Zuma did a live interview with the SABC, in which he said he was a victim and that the decision by the national executive committee (NEC) to recall him as president was unfair.

READ: 'Victimised' Zuma goes to war with ANC over recall

"It was a positive message to hear President Zuma saying that he won't defy his party because he has led this party for years and years. He remains the leader that we all respect."

Finally breaking his silence, Zuma told SABC journalist Mzwandile Mbeje that he was not defying the NEC.

"No, I have not defied the party."

Contradicting himself, Zuma said, while he was not defying the NEC, he did not agree with their decision and needed to know what he had done.

During the last half of the interview, Zuma said he would issue a statement in response to the NEC statement.

When asked if the ANC was confident that Zuma would resign, Mabe said Zuma's use of the words "not defying" was positive.

"I have always warned against being pre-emptive, for wanting to throw pre-emptive strikes, even where it might not necessarily be helpful. If he says that I am not defying the party... I think it's only fair to grant him that space. Allow the statement to come out while we know there are also these other processes that are being undertaken."

Zuma's interview on Wednesday comes as the ANC highest decision-making body between conferences took a decision to recall him, and the party's caucus said it would support a motion of no confidence against him on Thursday.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
42% - 397 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
58% - 559 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.91
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.43
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.34
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.2%
Platinum
910.50
+1.5%
Palladium
1,011.50
+1.0%
Gold
2,221.35
+1.2%
Silver
24.87
+0.9%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.8%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.8%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE