Zuma could step down early in deal to get rid of Gordhan

In December, when the ruling party holds its elective conference to appoint the top six and to finalise its slate for Cabinet – President Jacob Zuma is set to step down and make way for another leader to take up the helm of the ANC.

He is supposed to remain president of the country until the national elections in 2019, but an early departure after the December conference is apparently on the cards.

This is according to a report by Reuters, who have spoken to a high level source who has stated that in order to have Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan removed from his influential ministry, Zuma will consider leaving to strike a deal to ensure this happens.

Zuma’s early departure after December conference is on the table

The international wire agency also reports that this could be a solution to the ANC’s internal factional battles, which have seen powerful figures openly speak out against Zuma’s leadership and support Gordhan, who they believe brings stability to the country and more importantly to the economy.

“Zuma’s early departure after December conference is on the table. It’s being discussed,” one of the sources said. “He could be forcibly removed, so it makes sense for him to go on his own terms.”

A senior member of the ANC has said Zuma no longer enjoyed complete control of the party.

“He must just go. We don’t need his ‘offers’. He must just go before destroying our country,” one senior ANC member, who had not heard of Zuma discussing stepping down, told Reuters.

The Zuma faction apparently wants Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to become the next leader and for Gordhan to be immediately removed.

This report comes in the wake of the SACP hosting a press briefing to discuss meetings in which Zuma said he had relied on an intelligence report that formed the basis for him to axe Gordhan. The party said it did not support this and issued a statement explaining its reasons.

The country has been gripped by speculation on why Zuma recalled Gordhan and his deputy, Mcebisi Jonas, from the UK on Monday. Ministers were seen leaving the Union Buildings late last night after a meeting.

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