- South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has resigned on 15 February after after the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party threatened to eject him from office via a parliamentary vote of no confidence.
- The 75-year-old, who was the country’s President for the last 9 years (From May 9, 2009), has been under increasing pressure to give way to Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, ANC’s new leader.
- Mr Zuma’s resignation followed weeks of intense public pressure to step down amid long-standing corruption allegations.
- ANC issued a statement saying that the resignation provided certainty to the people of South Africa.
- Mr Zuma, a former member of the ANC’s military wing in the days of apartheid, rose through the ranks of the party to become the President.
- He led the country for more than a third of its time after apartheid. But, now he leaves office with his name in several scandals including Gupta family.
Zuma: cases and personal life
- His Zulu name is Gedleyihlekisa, means the one who smiles while grinding his enemies.
- During presidential election in 2009, he was simultaneously battling allegations of rape and corruption.
- He was acquitted of raping an HIV-positive family friend in 2006.
- In the run-up to the 2009 election, he was simultaneously battling allegations of rape and corruption.
- His name surfaced in controversial $5bn arms deal signed in 1999. In 2017 the South African Supreme Court ruled that 18 counts of corruption should be reinstated.
- Jacob Zuma has been married six times in total, and has 21 children. One of his wives, Mozambican Kate Mantsho, took her own life in 2000.
- Mr Zuma’s relationship with the wealthy Indian-born Gupta family amid allegations they had used it to influence cabinet appointments and obtain government contracts.
ZUMA TIMELINE
- Year 2005: Charged with corruption over multi-billion dollar 1999 arms deal .
- Year 2005: Charged with raping family friend – acquitted in 2006
- Year 2016: Court rules he breached his oath of office by using government money to upgrade private home in Nkandla.
- Year 2017: Public protector said that he should appoint judge-led inquiry into allegations he profiteered from relationship with wealthy Gupta family.
- 2018: Zuma approves inquiry
- 14 February 2018: He resigned from the post of President of South Africa.
