Jacob Zuma no-confidence motion is set for Thursday
ANC seeks to oust South Africa’s president and swear in Cyril Ramaphosa tomorrow

South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) party says it’s preparing an unprecedented no-confidence vote to force out the country’s president, Jacob Zuma, and swear in its new leader Cyril Ramaphosa in the latest twist in a dramatic power struggle.
“Everything has come to a standstill, so we need to move,” said Paul Mashatile, the ANC’s treasurer general, according to the Financial Times. “The ball is in his court.”
Zuma, who is 75, has not yet responded to the ANC National Executive Committee’s decision to replace him, Bloomberg says. The deadline given to him to resign expires tonight.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The news comes after body-armoured officers of South Africa’s specialist anti-corruption unit raided the home of the country’s powerful Gupta business family and made three arrests in what the FT calls “another sign of how the net is closing on Mr Zuma and his allies”.
One of the Gupta brothers is among the three arrested and police say two other people are expected to hand themselves in, the BBC reports.
The Indian-born South African Gupta family is central to the corruption allegations against Zuma, Al Jazeera English says. The president allegedly gave the family “undue access” to sensitive state information, a role in the hiring and firing of cabinet ministers, and government contracts, the broadcaster adds.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Questions abound over the FAA’s management of Boeing
Talking Points Some have called the agency’s actions underwhelming
-
Lou Berney’s 6 favorite books with powerful storytelling
Feature The award-winning author recommends works by Dorothy B. Hughes, James McBride, and more
-
Robert Redford: the Hollywood icon who founded the Sundance Film Festival
Feature Redford’s most lasting influence may have been as the man who ‘invigorated American independent cinema’ through Sundance
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of Taiwan
In the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdown
IN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations