‘Zuma’s position becoming untenable’

FOLLOWING the remarkable disclosure by Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas yesterday, President Jacob Zuma’s position is becoming increasingly untenable and he‚ and the ANC‚ need to consider whether he should resign from office‚ or be recalled‚ says DA leader Mmusi Maimane.

And the ANC in the Eastern Cape has urged the country’s leaders to think carefully before making public statements.

ANC provincial spokesman Mlibo Qoboshiyane said ministerial appointments were the sole prerogative of the president.

“We have a constitution, we have rules and laws. No one can simply offer these positions,” he said.

He called on the country’s leaders to exercise restraint and take South Africa’s socioeconomic situation into account before making public statements.

Maimane said “the Gupta’s hold over the government needs parliamentary intervention”.

“Given [the] remarkable revelations with regard to the Gupta family and the influence it has over government affairs, President Zuma’s position is becoming increasingly untenable.

“He, and the ANC, need to consider whether he should resign from office, or be recalled.“

“In expectation that he will once again shirk responsibility, I have moved a substantive motion in the National Assembly requesting the House establish an ad hoc committee to investigate the close ties between the Gupta family and President Zuma,” he said.

Wits University professor in the School of Governance, Susan Booysen, said the ANC should remove Zuma from office.