South Africa’s embattled President Jacob Zuma resigns evading a no-confidence vote

Johannesburg, February 15: Surrendering to the mounting pressure from inside and outside of African National Congress, South Africa’s controversial President Jacob Zuma has resigned on Wednesday night. Jacob Zuma has been spared from yet another vote of no confidence in Parliament after resigning. While announcing the much-awaited decision, he said he was quitting with immediate effect but said he disagreed with his ANC party's decision.

After his resignation, he has been automatically replaced by Cyril Ramaphosa as he was Vice President. According to Section 90 of the South African Constitution, when there is a vacancy in the office of president, the first person in line to act as president is the deputy president. In last December Zuma was replaced by Ramaphosa as ANC Chief since when his position has been weakened.

ANC’s reaction:

"It has been going on for almost three to four years and we believe that we do need to give this comrade respect and also spare him the humiliation of the ongoing votes of no confidence that come to Parliament," ANC deputy secretary general Jessie Duarte said who welcomed the decision shortly after resignation.

“President Zuma remains a principled member of the ANC. The ANC wants to salute the outstanding contribution he has made," Duarte said.

Zuma’s resignation speech:

"No life should be lost in my name and also the ANC should never be divided in my name. I have therefore come to the decision to resign as president of the republic with immediate effect," Zuma said in his resignation speech. He also paid tribute to those whom he had worked with over the years.

"Even though I disagree with the decision of the leadership of my organisation, I have always been a disciplined member of the ANC. "As I leave I will continue to serve the people of South Africa as well as the ANC, the organisation I have served... all of my life."

Which led to the resignation?

Zuma became the President of South Africa in 2009 after serving ANC for a lomng time. But his rule was full of corruption, economic decline, and political crisis within the country. The economic decline, multiple graft charges have undermined the image of ANC which led to led South Africans to freedom in 1994. On Wednesday, Zuma’s confidant Indian origin Gupta family home was raided by South African Police which increased the pressure on him.