*Watch: Zuma Responds on National TV
Main image: President Jacob Zuma seen during an interview live-streamed on the national broadcaster, in which he said he felt he had been unfairly treated.
By Hannah Green
South Africans were glued to news networks today as the ruling African National Congress party issued President Jacob Zuma a formal recall and an ultimatum: resign by the end of today, or face a vote of no confidence in Parliament tomorrow.
This comes after weeks of internal dialogue in the ANC about removing Zuma from office. This prolonged uncertainty has left many South Africans eager to see a resolution, and to finally reclaim sleep lost following several nights of standing by for news.
“#ZumaExit stole hours of sleep and anticipation from me! I feel like I am binge watching a reality show…a really bad reality show,” reads a tweet by @uncleIsaiah16.
“Can’t eat, can’t sleep. TV analists [sic] go on & on. We need & deserve closure & a country we can survive in,” writes @SowterTracy.
President Zuma was expected to hold a media briefing at 10 a.m. today, but this did not materialize. Instead the president held an unannounced television interview with a single journalist on the public broadcaster, during which he said he disagreed with his party’s decision to request him to resign with immediate effect and insisted he had been provided with no reasons for his recall.
Zuma Responds on National TV
A further statement from the president was expected to be delivered before the midnight deadline.
