Why Zuma should ‘NOT’ resign according to Kenny Kunene

The African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC)’s vague reasons for recalling Zuma have frustrated and confused South Africans for the past few days.

It is no secret why the NEC would want to recall Zuma, but the country has yet to hear these reasons from the committee.

This issue was pointed out by South African businessman and former Secretary-General of the Patriotic Alliance, Kenny Kunene.

Kunene took to Twitter to ask why the NEC has decided to recall Zuma.

I read all media articles n nowhere has the ANC NEC given us reasons why have they recalled our President JG Zuma. Honourable President Zuma, myself n many South Africans are pleading with you please please DO NOT resign

— Kenny Kunene (@Kenny_T_Kunene) February 14, 2018

Kunene raised a prominent talking point amidst Zuma’s dragged out exit – the difference between how the ANC NEC treated Zuma and former president Thabo Mbeki’s recalls. With Mbeki, the NEC spared no details, a stark contrast to the vague reasons currently being given for Zuma’s recall.

In 2008, the ANC called on Mbeki to resign, making way for Zuma to be voted in as President, despite the countless corruption charges against him.

Thabo Mbeki arrives with his wife Zanele at the presidential inauguration of Jacob Zuma at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Saturday, 24 May 2014. Picture: Antoine de Ras/Independent Newspapers/Pool

The decision was unanimous, with then-ANC Secretary-General, Gwede Mantashe explaining that the decision was owed to the ANC healing rifts within the party. The power struggle between Mbeki and Zuma throughout his presidency was beginning to take its toll on the party.

In a nutshell, Mbeki allegedly used country resources to attempt to expose Zuma’s corruption. His methods were seen as ‘improperly intervening’ to oust Zuma, and ultimately resulted in Mbeki’s case against Zuma being thrown out.

This was made clear to South Africans by the NEC. This time around, we have not been so fortunate.

The NEC has attempted to cite reasons for recalling Zuma, with ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule saying the main reason for recalling Zuma was because of “socio-economic conditions” in the country. Another attempted reason is because the ANC believes that the president of the party, currently Cyril Ramaphosa, must also be the head of state.

Since citing its reasons, the NEC has continued to give South Africans the run-around.

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