Jacob Zuma: will South African leaders fire the president?
ANC leadership are locked in a meeting to decide the 75-year-old’s fate

African National Congress party leaders are deciding the future of South African President Jacob Zuma, the 75-year-old strongman who refuses to step down and face corruption charges after almost nine years in power.
Nearly five days of talks between Zuma and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, who took over leadership of the governing ANC in December, have failed to convince Zuma to leave.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) is likely to emerge from today’s meeting demanding Zuma’s resignation, although the meeting may not conclude until late on Monday if all 112 NEC want to voice their views, the BBC says.
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.
What happens if Zuma doesn’t resign?
If Zuma refuses an order to step down, he will face a no-confidence vote in parliament “that he would almost certainly lose”, The Guardian reports. Under ANC rules, elected officials fulfil their functions according to the party’s will. The process could drag on for several months, however.
Why has Zuma’s departure taken so long?
Ramaphosa reportedly wants to avoid a divisive end to the matter, although some ANC leaders want a “quick exit” for Zuma, says HuffPost.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
What will Zuma’s departure cost?
Zuma is likely to want to leave with a guaranteed salary and immunity from corruption charges. South Africa’s Business Day newspaper compares Zuma’s departure to the ousting of Robert Mugabe, who stepped down in Zimbabwe after making a deal that included a $10m (£7.24m) salary for life.
-
The party bringing Trump-style populism to Japan
Under The Radar Far-right party is ‘Rise of Sanseito is ‘shattering’ the belief that Japan is ‘immune’ to populism’ the belief that Japan is ‘immune’ to populism
-
Southern barbecue: This year’s top three
Feature A weekend-only restaurant, a 90-year-old pitmaster, and more
-
Film reviews: Anemone and The Smashing Machine
Feature A recluse receives an unwelcome guest and a pioneering UFC fighter battles addiction
-
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