Thousands demand South African president's resignation

By Hassan Isilow

PRETORIA

Thousands of opposition party supporters and civil society members marched in the capital Pretoria Wednesday demanding South African President Jacob Zuma’s resignation on his 75th birthday.

“It must be known today that Zuma is no longer a credible president of our nation,” Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the third largest political party told protesters.

He said he was happy that political parties got united in the demonstration to send a message to Zuma to step down because of alleged corruption and mismanagement.

This is the second protest in less than a week calling for Zuma to resign. Last Friday, thousands of South Africans marched across the country to express dissatisfaction in their president.

Protests were sparked off after Zuma sacked his widely respected finance minister Pravin Gordhan and several ministers that led to tumbling of the country’s currency and stock markets, causing losses in millions of dollars.

“We want a president who is not corrupt, cares about job creation and service delivery,” said Phumzile Van Damme, member of the parliament for the Democratic Alliance.

Dressed in different political party regalia, protesters carrying South Africa’s flag and placards called for Zuma to step down.

Chants of ‘Zuma must fall’ could be heard several meters away from Zuma’s office.

According to sources, Zuma was not in his office at the time of the protest. He was in Johannesburg, preparing to attend his 75th birthday celebrations organized by his African National Congress (ANC) Party.

The South African parliament will debate a motion of no confidence against Zuma next Tuesday.

Zuma, who came to power in 2009, has been accused of several corruption scandals. He has, however, survived several no confidence votes in the parliament because of the ANC’s majority in the National Assembly.

On Tuesday, former President Thabo Mbeki joined other ANC veterans, appealing the lawmakers of the ANC to vote in the interest of the people during the motion of no confidence against Zuma.

The ANC, which fought for the liberation of South Africa from white-minority rule, has been in power since the dawn of democracy in the country in 1994. The party is accused of shielding corrupt leaders and being divided along factions.