Zuma defies ”unfair” calls to quit

Embattled Jacob Zuma has hit back at calls to step down as South Africa’s president, saying the ruling African National Congress (ANC) had not given him an adequate reason why he should leave office. Speaking to state television, Zuma said he would not quit and could not understand why the party’s leaders, who had met […]

Embattled Jacob Zuma has hit back at calls to step down as South Africa’s president, saying the ruling African National Congress (ANC) had not given him an adequate reason why he should leave office.

Speaking to state television, Zuma said he would not quit and could not understand why the party’s leaders, who had met with him on Tuesday, were so insistent on pushing him out.

“I was asking [in the meeting with ANC leadership] what have I done? What is this hurry? I found it very strange to be told by my organisation that I must go,” Zuma, 75, said in the long-winded interview.

First, in the early hours of Wednesday, an elite police force raided the homes of the Gupta family, who are accused of wielding undue influence on Zuma.

Later in the day, the ANC announced that it would back a motion of no-confidence against Zuma on Thursday, and replace him with Cyril Ramaphosa, who was elected as head of the party in December.