Zwelithini backs Zuma’s resignation, asks president to ‘go away quietly’ – report

Zulu King Goowdill Zwelithini has allegedly suggested that President Jacob Zuma resign from his position and go away quietly.

The meeting, which took place in northern KwaZulu-Natal, followed the ANC’s national working committee (NWC) meeting to deliberate on Zuma’s fate.

EFF leader Julius Malema claimed not only did Zuma refuse to step down voluntarily, but he also dared the ANC’s national leaders to remove him from office because he “didn’t do anything wrong to the country”.

Zuma continues to maintain this stance, and still rejects the idea of stepping down despite increasing pressure from some in the ANC, civil society, and opposition parties to resign before the state-of-the-nation address (Sona) on February 8.

According to an insider who attended the meeting, Zwelithini asked Zuma if he would consider resigning instead of plunging the country into chaos.

“The king had asked Zuma if he would not consider resigning from his position. Zuma said he is weighing his options, but kept on repeating that if he resigns now it would mean that he would [be] admitting that he had done something wrong. He said he hadn’t done anything wrong during his presidency,” reports Times Live.

Since Cyril Ramaphosa’s election as ANC president in December, the rand has strengthened and people are beginning to trust the ANC, said ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe.

Zwelithini also reportedly assured Zuma he would negotiate with the ANC leaders, who Zuma believes are out to get him.

“The king promised Zuma that he will talk to the other ANC leaders to facilitate a solution to the growing tensions around succession in the ANC and in the country.

“Zuma said his prediction that foreign forces are out to get him and that they are supporting the regime change agenda have been proven true. He is visibly a worried man. He believes that the new ANC leadership wants to throw him under the bus, and he indicated to the king that he is ready to fight back if necessary‚” the insider added.

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