Political crisis in South Africa, ruling party ANC decides President Jacob Zuma must go

South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma was formally asked to resign by ruling African National Congress (ANC), local media reports said.

Earlier, President Zuma had refused to step down and if he continues to do so, he will have to face a vote of confidence in the South African Parliament.

Zuma, who is in power since 2009, is facing corruption allegations and was replaced by Cyril Ramaphosa as ANC leader in December last year.

According to the reports, ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule visited Zuma at his residence and informed him about the decision of ANC’s national executive committee (NEC).

Jacob Zuma’s tenure as South Africa’s President has been marred with controversies and allegations of corruption.

Recently, Zuma’s popularity took a nosedive after reports of his links with wealthy India-origin Gupta family, who have allegedly influenced the government.

Earlier last year, the Supreme Court of Appeal directed him to face several cases of corruption, fraud, racketeering and money laundering in connection with a 1999 arms deal.

In 2016, the top court of South Africa had ruled that he violated the constitution by not paying back funds used for the construction of his private home.