The African National Congress’s (ANC) leadership confirmed on Tuesday that it has recalled President Jacob Zuma.
ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule told a media briefing at Luthuli House that the decision was taken only after extensive discussions.
Magashule said Zuma had agreed to go after a period of between 3-6 months but had rejected the National Executive Committee’s request for this time frame to be shortened.
However it is unclear whether Zuma will resign.
A source close to the discussions said Zuma’s response to the decision was likely to be ‘controversial’. He is under no constitutional obligation to obey. If he does refuse, he will then likely be ousted via a parliamentary vote of no-confidence within days.
Magashule added that when the ANC recalls its deployees, it expects its deployees to abide by it. He also said that the party has not brought any motion of no confidence against Zuma.
Opposition parties in Parliament have called for the motion of no confidence in Zuma‚ scheduled for February 22‚ to be brought forward to this week. Speaker of Parliament, Baleka Mbete, said the request was still being considered on Monday evening.
Meanwhile ANC MPs have been called to an urgent caucus meeting in Parliament on Wednesday.
“In light of that‚ the Chief Whip has requested that the meeting of the Chief Whips forum (comprising chief whips of opposition parties) that normally meets on Wednesday at 10am be shifted to 8am tomorrow morning,” Nonceba Mhlauli‚ a spokesperson for the office of ANC Chief Whip Jackson Mthembu.
