JOHANNESBURG — Ruling party critics of South African President Jacob Zuma pushed for his resignation on Sunday amid concern about alleged corruption at the highest levels of the government, but the president retained significant support in the divided party.
This weekend, opponents proposed a motion of no confidence against Zuma at a meeting of the African National Congress party, which has led South Africa since the end of white minority rule in 1994.
Many in the party attribute the ANC’s poor performance in local elections last year to scandals surrounding the president and want to shore up their popularity ahead of national elections in 2019. The motion was proposed by party member Joel Netshitenzhe and supported by the health minister and his deputy, as well as by the former tourism minister, reported the News24 website.
State broadcaster SABC said the chairman of the National Executive Committee meeting did not allow debate on the motion because it was not on the agenda, though the meeting was continuing late Sunday.
Zuma survived a similar move to oust him at a committee meeting in November, but unease within the ruling party grew after he fired Pravin Gordhan, the finance minister. Fitch and Standard & Poor’s responded to Gordhan’s dismissal by lowering South Africa’s credit rating to below investment grade.
Zuma’s ties to the Gupta family, Indian businessmen accused of trying to manipulate government leaders for financial gain, have also stirred public anger. The Sunday Times reported on e-mails allegedly showing the Guptas’ control over some ministers and state-owned companies, as well as the involvement of Zuma’s son Duduzane, a Gupta associate.
The Guptas deny any wrongdoing.
In another scandal, Zuma reimbursed some state money after the Constitutional Court ruled against him last year in a dispute over millions of dollars spent on his private home.
Gordhan’s replacement, Malusi Gigaba, is at the center of alleged efforts by the president and his allies to raid state assets and reap billions of rand from government contracts, a study by eight leading academics from four of the nation’s top universities found this week. Gigaba spokesman Mayihlome Tshwete said the report “has little, if any, facts.’’
