South African President Jacob Zuma on Monday faced the biggest challenge to his leadership since taking power in 2009 as the ruling ANC party debated his future and calls grew for him to resign. Zuma has been hit by a series of corruption scandals and damaging court rulings this year, while the ANC suffered a sharp setback in local polls in August and unemployment has hit a 13-year high.
A weekend meeting of the African National Congress (ANC) national executive committee was extended into Monday after a rebellion led by senior government figures. Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi and Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi all called on the president to step down, the News24 news agency reported, citing party sources.
The president, who has survived numerous scandals while in office, has been under renewed pressure since a corruption probe earlier this month unearthed fresh allegations of misconduct. The probe by the country's top watchdog uncovered evidence of possible criminal activity in Zuma's relationship with the Guptas, a business family accused of wielding undue political influence.
"He is at his weakest. He is under extreme pressure," political analyst Daniel Silke told AFP. "I don't think the ANC is ready for a very fast departure, but this is an unprecedented show of anti-Zuma support. "We could see a warning sign to the president that his days are numbered." However Zuma, 74, retains strong loyalty among many rank-and-file ANC party members, as well as its lawmakers. He easily survived a vote of no confidence in parliament on November 10.
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