Despite facing corruption allegations and pressure from African National Congress (ANC) leaders, it appears South African President Jacob Zuma is refusing to step down.
He and senior members of the (ANC) held talks on Sunday but no details of their meeting have been released. Julius Malema, an opposition leader and former ANC member, said that Mr. Zuma had been asked to stand down but had refused.
According to Malema, Zuma refused to resign and he told fellow ANC members to take a decision to remove him if they so wish to do so because he didn’t do anything wrong to the country.
Mr. Zuma is accused of corruption, fraud, racketeering, money-laundering and tax evasion. The charges go back to the 1990s and relate to payments made as part of an arms deal. He and other government officials were accused of taking kickbacks from the purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and other arms. Mr. Zuma has always maintained his innocence but did comply with all legal instructions including paying back the money.
Zuma has been president since 2009 and his current term doesn’t expire until 2019 but he has faced growing pressure to resign since he was replaced as leader of the ANC in December by Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa’s deputy president. Analysts say the ANC is not interested in a power struggle between Zuma supporters and those who back Mr. Ramaphosa. Ramaphosa is likely to win the 2019 elections. Right now he’s calling for party unity.
But correspondents say fears are growing that he and his allies in the ANC may move against Mr. Zuma if he refuses to stand aside. Party leaders are expected to meet later on Monday and could order Zuma to step down.
