Update: 8. 25pm, 1 April.
Following the meeting of the ANC’s top six earlier today in Pretoria, the party has said it stands firm behind the President.
A press briefing was held at 8pm at ANC’s headquarters, Luthuli House in Johannesburg. The ANC welcomes the judgement by the Constitutional Court and the president’s apology. The party echoed the president’s sentiment that he did not knowingly or intentionally act against the constitution.
The ANC implied that they believed that there was overreaction from opposition parties and sensationalism from media houses.
The ANC said it stood firm behind the president and would not remove him from office. ANC leadership said the judgement does not give rise to impeach the president however, they are ready to engage the public about the judgement.
Initial report:
This comes after the Constitutional Court ruling on 31 March, which declared Jacob Zuma’s non-compliance with the Public Protectors Report unconstitutional.
Zuma said the judgement had helped him and his colleagues reflect on the entire matter and deeply regretted how the matter had been handled.
He blamed his legal advisers and said he had been misinformed.
The Twitter community responded with mixed reactions:
"I welcome… Bibcfucsduvcknvxtjvxzrucxuuvxyhcfucxyujvxtyjvcnkhvyh… Thank you"- Zuma
— Fine-Nancy (@Lesedi_D) April 1, 2016
Your apology is not accepted! Please do the honourable thing #Zuma.
— Nikiwe Bikitsha (@NBikitsha) April 1, 2016
#BREAKING South Africa's Zuma admits actions 'inconsistent' with constitution
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 1, 2016
https://twitter.com/tackyz/status/715956873699176449
#Zuma failed us yet again. "I'm sorry ne, bye! pic.twitter.com/flB2umGOCZ
— Robert Visser (@Robert_Viss) April 1, 2016
https://twitter.com/tackyz/status/715956873699176449