The announcement on Friday compounded Zuma’s dramatic fall from power after he was forced to step down as president on Feb. 14 to be replaced by new ruling party leader, Cyril Ramaphosa.

That, and a commission of inquiry into alleged undue influence by Zuma’s friends the Guptas over his administration, will bolster the new president’s campaign against corruption.

“I am of the view that there are reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution of Mr. Zuma,” Chief prosecutor Shaun Abrahams told reporters in Pretoria, the capital.

NPA officials in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province will now make the necessary arrangements for Zuma to appear in court to face 12 charges of fraud, one of racketeering, two of corruption and one of money laundering.

The NPA spent eight years investigating allegations that Zuma, 75, took 4.07 million rand ($341,000) in bribes from arms dealers and charged him with corruption, racketeering, fraud and money laundering.

It abandoned the case in 2009, months before he became president, saying taped phone calls indicated that chief investigator Leonard McCarthy may have used the allegations to frustrate Zuma’s efforts to win control of the African National Congress from then-President Thabo Mbeki.

In October, the Supreme Court of Appeal upheld a lower court ruling that found the decision to drop the charges was “irrational” and that the political considerations that had tainted the investigation were irrelevant to the integrity of the case. While the order paved the way for a trial to proceed, prosecutors allowed Zuma to make representations as to why he shouldn’t be indicted.

“Mr. Zuma’s representation was unsuccessful,” Abrhams said. “I am of the view that a trial court will the most appropriate forum for these issues to be ventilated.”

Zuma, who was also implicated in a succession of other scandals, resigned on Feb. 14 under pressure from the ANC following its election of a new leadership in December. He has denied wrongdoing.

–

Source: Bloomberg

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The decision to “recall” him “urgently” followed marathon talks of the ANC’s top leadership body.

Mr Zuma, 75, agreed to step down, but only in the next three to six months, the official added.

Mr Zuma, who has been in power since 2009, has been dogged by corruption allegations.

But he has resisted increasing pressure to quit since December, when Cyril Ramaphosa replaced him as leader of the ANC.

Ace Magashule, the ANC’s secretary-general, told reporters the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) decided the removal should be “treated with urgency”.

“It is obvious we want Comrade Ramaphosa to come in as the president of South Africa,” he added.

Despite Mr Magashule telling reporters “the decision is now final”, he revealed Mr Zuma told him that he “did not believe the NEC has the right” to make such a ruling.

He said the president was expected to respond to the NEC’s decision on Wednesday, although they had given him no deadline.

What has Mr Zuma done wrong?

Mr Zuma’s presidency has been overshadowed by allegations of corruption which he has always vehemently denied.

In 2016, South Africa’s highest court ruled that Mr Zuma had violated the constitution when he failed to repay government money spent on his private home.

Last year the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that he must face 18 counts of corruption, fraud, racketeering and money-laundering relating to a 1999 arms deal.

More recently, Mr Zuma’s links to the wealthy India-born Gupta family, who are alleged to have influenced the government, have caused his popularity to plummet.

Both Mr Zuma and the Guptas deny the allegations.

How likely is Mr Zuma to quit?

Correspondents say it will be very difficult for him to resist a formal request to resign but he would not be legally obliged to do so and could technically carry on as president despite losing the faith of his party.

However, he would then be expected to face a confidence vote in parliament. This has been scheduled for 22 February, but it could be held earlier.

Mr Zuma has survived other such votes but he is not expected to pull it off again. A confidence vote would be considered a humiliating process for him and the party.

South African media are calling President Zuma’s seemingly inevitable exit “Zexit”.

His predecessor, Thabo Mbeki, resigned in 2008, also after a power struggle with his deputy.

The deputy in question was Jacob Zuma, who took over the presidency the following year.

Why is this happening now?

The ANC was badly rattled by its performance at the 2016 local elections when it won its lowest share of the vote since coming to power under the late Nelson Mandela in 1994.

It wants to project a fresh image for next year’s general election. Having served two terms in office (South African presidents are elected by parliament), Mr Zuma cannot legally return to power in any case.

On Monday, opposition parties called for an early election.

“Anyone from the ANC that wants to lead this country, must get their mandate from the people of South Africa,” Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane told reporters.

–

Source: BBC

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The National Executive Committee (NEC) is likely to ask him to step down, says BBC Africa Correspondent Andrew Harding.

ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged on Sunday that the issue was causing “disunity and discord”.

Mr Zuma, 75, faces a number of corruption charges after nine years in power.

“We know you want closure”, Mr Ramaphosa told a crowd marking 100 years since the birth of the country’s first black president, Nelson Mandela.

Leaders of South Africa’s governing ANC party are due to meet to decide the future of President Jacob Zuma.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) is likely to ask him to step down, says BBC Africa Correspondent Andrew Harding.

ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged on Sunday that the issue was causing “disunity and discord”.

Mr Zuma, 75, faces a number of corruption charges after nine years in power.

“We know you want closure”, Mr Ramaphosa told a crowd marking 100 years since the birth of the country’s first black president, Nelson Mandela.

An NEC meeting was called off last week following direct talks between Mr Zuma and Mr Ramaphosa, who is the deputy president as well as the new leader of the party.

Mr Zuma has resisted increasing pressure to quit since December, when Mr Ramaphosa replaced him as leader of the ANC (African National Congress).

Correspondents say that if the NEC agrees to recall Mr Zuma, it would be very difficult for him to resist.

“As you have all heard, the National Executive Committee of the ANC will be meeting tomorrow… and because our people want this matter to be finalised, the NEC will be doing precisely that,” Mr Ramaphosa told the rally in Cape Town.

He acknowledged the ANC was suffering “a period of difficulty, disunity and discord” and said he wanted to replace it with “a new beginning”.

He pledged to tackle the corruption that has marred Mr Zuma’s time in office.

Mr Ramaphosa urged South Africans to restore the values that Mr Mandela – also known as Madiba – stood for, and said those who had stolen state assets would be brought to justice.

“We must work together as Madiba taught us to push back the frontiers of poverty, unemployment and inequality,” he said.

Mr Zuma’s presidency has been overshadowed by allegations of corruption.

In recent years his links to the wealthy India-born Gupta family, who are alleged to have influenced the government, have caused his popularity to plummet.

Both Mr Zuma and the Guptas deny the allegations.

–

Source: BBC

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Mr Ramaphosa, who heads South Africa’s governing party, said both he and Mr Zuma understood the need for a speedy resolution.

He said the pair aim to conclude talks on the president’s future within days.

It is being seen as the first confirmation that Mr Zuma will step down shortly.

The 75-year-old president is facing extensive corruption charges after a turbulent nine years in power.

He has faced increasing pressure to quit since December, when Mr Ramaphosa replaced him as leader of the ruling African National Congress (ANC).

Mr Ramaphosa said direct talks were an opportunity to reach an agreement without spreading discord or division.

The ANC said they had been “fruitful and constructive discussions”.

An urgent Wednesday evening meeting of the party’s top leadership – which has the power to unseat Mr Zuma – has been pushed back to 17 February.

Opposition parties are demanding a vote of no-confidence to remove the president.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation has also urged him to step down.

South Africa had seen “systematic looting” under Mr Zuma’s rule, and he “must go sooner rather than later”, it said in a statement.

–

Source: BBC

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Instead the ANC released a statement saying it had held “fruitful and constructive discussions” with him.

Mr Zuma is under growing pressure from members of own party to resign amid corruption allegations.

Earlier on Tuesday, parliament took the extraordinary step of postponing Thursday’s state of the nation address.

South Africa’s Times Live website quoted unnamed sources as saying Mr Zuma was prepared to quit, if the right terms can be negotiated.

The formal National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting has been set for 17 and 18 February, the ANC’s party leader, Cyril Ramaphosa, said in a statement.

The high-level group has the power to remove the president from office without his agreement.

Opposition parties are demanding that a vote of no-confidence be held to remove him.

Mr Zuma, 75, was replaced as party leader by Mr Ramaphosa, his 65-year-old deputy, in December. Mr Ramaphosa is set to succeed him as president.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Nelson Mandela Foundation urged Mr Zuma to step down.

South Africa had seen “systematic looting” under Mr Zuma’s rule, and he “must go sooner rather than later”, the foundation said in a statement.

–

Source: BBC

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He and senior members of the African National Congress (ANC) held talks on Sunday but no details of their meeting have been released.

Facing corruption allegations, Mr Zuma was replaced as ANC leader in December.

Party leaders, who may be trying to oust Mr Zuma before his State of the Nation address later this week, will hold an emergency meeting on Monday.

Mr Zuma, who spent time in prison for his part in the fight against apartheid, is most of the way through his second – and last – term as president.

Julius Malema, an opposition leader and former ANC member, said on Twitter that Mr Zuma had been asked to stand down but had refused.

Why does the ANC want to remove him?

Mr Zuma’s presidency has been overshadowed by allegations of corruption.

In recent years his links to the wealthy-Indian born Gupta family, who are alleged to have influenced the government through their relationship with Mr Zuma, have caused his popularity to plummet. In South Africa, it has become known as “state capture”.

Both Mr Zuma and the Guptas deny the allegations.

Then there is also the country’s struggling economy, which has been adversely affected by political infighting in recent years.

As a result, many in the ANC fear his presidency has become toxic – and is hurting the party’s standing.

That appeared to be borne out at the 2016 local elections, when the ANC lost ground to the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

With a general election set for 2019, the ANC will be keen to distance itself from any more negative press – and therefore it is perhaps not surprising that Mr Zuma’s deputy, Cyril Ramaphosa, was elected the party leader in South Africa in December on an anti-corruption platform.

However, Mr Zuma still has his supporters within the ANC – including three of the top six – so nothing is definite.

What are the allegations against him?

• 2005: Charged with corruption over multi-billion dollar 1999 arms deal – charges dropped shortly before he becomes president in 2009
• 2016: Court orders he should be charged with 786 counts of corruption over the deal
• 2005: Charged with raping family friend – acquitted in 2006
• 2016: Court rules he breached his oath of office by using government money to upgrade private home in Nkandla – he has repaid the money
• 2017: South Africa’s public protector said he should appoint judge-led inquiry into allegations he profiteered from relationship with wealthy Gupta family – he denies allegations, as have the Guptas
• 2018: Zuma approves inquiry

What happens next?

Monday’s emergency meeting brings together the ANC’s National Working Committee, made up of 20 people, who will hear a report back from the weekend’s meeting with the party leadership.

Depending on what they decide, they could then call a meeting of the 80-member National Executive Committee (NEC) in order to vote on whether to recall Mr Zuma.

However, if they do recall him Mr Zuma still has to agree to resign, as his predecessor Thabo Mbeki did.

Could Zuma follow Mugabe out the door?

Milton Nkosi, BBC News, Johannesburg

President Jacob Zuma’s days are now numbered.

Many here in South Africa are saying it is no longer a matter of if, but when, he will go.

Although, it seems that the deep divisions which existed within the ANC ahead of the elective conference last December still prevail.

There was a lot of talk about unity under the new party leader, Cyril Ramaphosa.

Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe (left, with Zuma in 2015) was ousted in November

But unity in the ANC is becoming like a mirage. Those who support Mr Zuma want him to complete his term next year, as stipulated by the constitution.

But those who have been complaining about the long list of corruption allegations want him to leave, now.

Pressure is also mounting from outside the ANC.

The opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are considering going to court to prevent Mr Zuma from presenting the annual State of the Nation address on Thursday. And they are also threatening to propose a motion of no-confidence before the president addresses the nation.

Many in South Africa are thinking back to November last year, when members of the ruling party in neighbouring Zimbabwe told then President Robert Mugabe to step down. He too refused – at first.

Many people – from opposition leaders to those within his own party – are calling for him to stand down before Thursday’s State of the Nation address. Whether or not this is possible in the timeframe is unclear, but there will no doubt be concerns about what he might say if he is given the podium.

Even if Mr Zuma survives the week, he may not survive the month: A no-confidence motion has been brought by the EFF, and will be heard in parliament on 22 February.

But every move the ANC makes will be made with an eye on the 2019 election – and a split within the party would make it more difficult to win support.

ANC chairman Gwede Mantashe said he wanted to ensure “stability in the country and stability in the ANC.”

–

Source: BBC

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Mr Zuma’s deputy, Cyril Ramaphosa, told a local radio station: “Yes, I would believe her.”

In 2006 Mr Zuma was found not guilty of raping Fezekile Kuzwayo – the daughter of an old family friend.

He said she had agreed to have sex.

Mr Ramaphosa is competing against Mr Zuma’s ex-wife, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, to become the leader of the ANC in a contest starting next Saturday.

The winner of the party race will be well placed to become the country’s new president in 2019.

Analysis – Lebo Diseko, Johannesburg

There has been mixed reaction to Mr Ramaphosa’s comments about Ms Kuzwayo’s rape allegation.

Some have praised him for being more unequivocal in his response than rival candidate for ANC presidency Lindiwe Sisulu.

When she was asked the same question she responded: “I believe she believes she was raped”.

But many on social media have asked why Mr Ramaphosa did not publicly support Ms Kuzwayo when she was alive.

There has been renewed public interest in the rape trial, following the release of a book detailing Ms Kuzwayo’s account of events.

In particular there has been public anger over her alleged treatment by members of the ruling ANC at the time.

In the radio interview, Mr Ramaphosa praised Ms Kuzwayo’s courage for taking the case to court, saying:

“I know how difficult and painful it is to for a woman to garner up the courage and say: ‘Yes I was raped’. It must be one of the most difficult decisions she had to make.”

Ms Kuzwayo, who was 32 years younger than Mr Zuma, fled abroad and later died after a long illness, but the BBC’s Andrew Harding in Johannesburg says controversy surrounding the case has lingered.

Ms Kuzwayo was HIV-positive and Mr Zuma’s statement during the trial, that he showered after unprotected sex with the woman to guard against possible infection, provoked ridicule.

When he acquitted Mr Zuma, the judge concluded: “The complainant was inclined to accuse men of raping her or attempting to rape her,” .

The president’s office has issued a statement saying: “The court acquitted the president of the rape charges.

“The presidency affirms the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary and the primacy of the courts as the final arbiters in disputes in society.”

The race for the ANC:

Cyril Ramaphosa

• Detained for two years for anti-apartheid activities; launched mineworkers’ union in 1982
• Headed committee that prepared for Nelson Mandela’s release from prison
• Left politics to become one of South Africa’s richest businessmen – on Lonmin board during 2012 Marikana massacre
• Became South Africa’s deputy president in 2014.

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

• A leading anti-apartheid activist, fled South Africa to complete medical training in UK
• Met Jacob Zuma while working as a doctor in Swaziland, divorcing him after 16 years of marriage in 1998
• Declined offer to take place of her ex-husband as deputy president in 2005 after he was sacked
• Chair of the African Union commission from 2012 to 2016.

–

Source: BBC

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People watching the case are tweeting using the hashtag #SpyTapes because a key part of the case were secretly recorded phone conversations.

Mr Zuma and other government officials have been accused of taking kickbacks from the purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and other arms.

Charges were first brought against Mr Zuma in 2005 but dropped by prosecutors in 2009.

However, last year the High Court in Pretoria ruled that he should face the accusations.

Mr Zuma went on to lodge a challenge with the Supreme Court of Appeal to these charges being reinstated.

The president has always insisted he is innocent.

–

Source: BBC

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The governing African National Congress (ANC) and opposition parties traded barbs in two hours of heated debate on Tuesday, before voting booths were brought out on to the floor.

Mr Zuma has already survived seven no-confidence votes.

But the opposition hopes some ANC MPs will side with them as the vote is secret for the first time.

The parliament’s speaker, Baleka Mbete, made the decision to hold the vote in secret on Monday, after opposition parties took the case to the Constitutional Court.

In order for the no-confidence motion to pass, at least 50 out of the ANC’s 249 MPs would need to vote against the president – leading to opposition parties pleading with ANC MPs to “vote with their conscience”.

“Today our choice is between right and wrong; between good and evil,” the Democratic Alliance’s Mmusi Maimane said, while Andries Tlouamma, deputy president of the Agang party, warned if Mr Zuma survived then South Africa was “on a highway to hell”.

The opposition Inkatha Freedom Party, said President Jacob Zuma has “trampled on the constitution” and has “sold the country to the highest bidder”.

But Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula told the gathered MPs the vote was “akin to a coup”.

“My conscience tells me we all need to respect the voters who brought us here,” she said, urging MPs to wait until the 2019 election, when the people would make their voices heard.

Mr Zuma will not be standing in 2019.

How does the vote work?

Following a 90-minute debate, the House will adjourn to prepare for the vote.

A bell will then be rung and MPs called in alphabetical order to collect their ballot papers. There are three options on the ballot paper: Yes, No or Abstain.

After each MP has voted, the ballot boxes will be sealed.

A representative from each party will be called to witness the count. The counting room will be guarded by the Sergeant-in-Arms, under the supervision of the party representatives and Speaker.

Finally, the bell will be rung again and the speaker will announce the results.

Criticism of Mr Zuma has increased this year, after he fired his widely-respected finance minister, Pravin Gordhan, in March.

This came amid accusations that the president had become too close to the wealthy Gupta family, who are accused of trying to influence politician decisions – including the sacking of Mr Gordhan.

Mr Zuma and the Guptas have denied any wrongdoing.

Outside of parliament, rival protests were being held in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town, where the vote will take place.

Johannesburg police are on high alert ahead of the vote, the city’s Councillor for Public Safety, Michael Sun, said in a statement.

He has faced numerous corruption allegations, all of which he has denied.

His critics also say he has mismanaged the economy and failed to raise living standards.

Zuma’s legal woes:

• 2005: Charged with corruption over multi-billion dollar 1999 arms deal – charges dropped shortly before he becomes president in 2009
• 2016: Court orders he should be charged with 786 counts of corruption over the deal – he has appealed
• 2005: Charged with raping family friend – acquitted in 2006
• 2016: Court rules he breached his oath of office by using government money to upgrade private home in Nkandla – he has repaid the money
• 2017: Public protector said he should appoint judge-led inquiry into allegations he profiteered from relationship with wealthy Gupta family – he denies allegations, as have the Guptas
• No inquiry appointed yet

Although allegations of corruption have dogged Mr Zuma for years now, a growing number from within his party have publicly called on him to step down, the BBC’s Milton Nkosi in Cape Town says.

Some, like ANC MP Makhosi Khoza, have even received death threats for speaking out against the president.

She said that a vote for the motion will not be a vote against the ANC, but a vote against corruption.

But our correspondent says that Mr Zuma still enjoys a considerable amount of support from his party – the question now is how many of his MPs are prepared to take a stand against him.

Mr Zuma is due to step down as head of the ANC in December, ahead of the 2019 general election.

He has endorsed his ex-wife, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as his successor.

Also vying for the leadership is Cyril Ramaphosa, a former trade unionist and one of South Africa’s wealthiest politicians.

–

Source: BBC

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The reports suggest deepening ties between President Zuma and the controversial Gupta business family.

But the president’s spokesman has dismissed them as an utter fabrication.

Pressure on Mr Zuma has been mounting in recent months because of corruption scandals, cabinet sackings and his handling of the economy.

Senior members of Mr Zuma’s governing ANC this weekend tabled a motion of no confidence against him – which has been put to a closed-door meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee.

It is the second time in six months that party rebels have mounted such a challenge.

Under pressure

The BBC’s Karen Allen in Johannesburg says the ANC now looks like it’s in permanent fire fighting mode

Emails between President Zuma’s son Duduzane and figures from a company owned by the controversial Gupta family – who reportedly wield considerable influence over Mr Zuma – include a letter to the Abu Dabi royal family, our correspondent says.

“I am happy to inform you that my family has decided to make the UAE a second home,” the president is quoted as saying. “It will be a great honour for me and my family to gain your patronage during our proposed residency in the UAE.”

This opens up questions as to whether this is part of an exit strategy, with Mr Zuma’s party appearing to be turning against him, our correspondent adds.

The reports were quickly dismissed by the presidential spokesman as “utter fabrication and mischief-making”.

Meanwhile, it is thought that Zuma loyalists could well block any no confidence motion on technical grounds.

However, it echoes a similar motion from opposition parties being pushed through parliament which is now being examined by the constitutional court.

The president’s successor is expected to be selected at a major conference of the ANC’s top brass in December.

Until then the party looks set to limp from crisis to crisis, our correspondent says.

Mr Zuma’s allies say he will remain in office until his term ends in 2019, but evidence of his unpopularity seems to be growing. He was forced to abandon a May Day rally this year after he was booed by workers demanding his resignation.

His ex-wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Deputy President Cyril Rampahosa are vying to succeed him.

–

Source: BBC

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