Eventually Jacob Zuma gave in. Overwhelmed by scandals, the Head of State of South Africa has resigned, while continuing to assert his innocence. The announcement came during a televised speech given by Zuma himself, who complied with the ultimatum set by the Africa National Congress, the party in government in South Africa since the end of apartheid and led for many years by Nelson Mandela.
"I have decided to resign from the role of President of the Republic with immediate effect, even if I disagree with the direction of my organization - he said - I have to accept that my party and my compatriots want to send me away even though I have always been a member governed by the ANC”.
Just a few hours earlier, Zuma had told state TV Sabc that he did not want to resign because he disagreed on the reasons that prompted the party to ask for his resignation.
But in the end the Head of State realized he had no alternative: if he hadn't resigned, his own party would have presented a motion of no confidence in Parliament. Majority and opposition would have united to oust him.
Over the years, Zuma has been embroiled in more than 700 scandals big and small—from illegal gun sales XNUMX years ago to the most recent gilded (publicly funded) home renovation.
Zuma will be replaced by Ciril Ramaphosa, a former protégé of Mandela and new president of the Africa National Congress, who will take office in the next few hours and will remain in the saddle until April 2019, when South Africa will go to the elections.
Zuma leaves a country in economic crisis, with years of recession behind it and whose sovereign credit has been downgraded by rating agencies. Unemployment and social inequalities are growing in the country. Among the successes of the now former Head of State, the increase in public housing and the establishment of the main free medical program in the world for Hic patients which guarantees treatment for three million patients.
