I am reliably told that the ANC will announce in the next hour or two that President Thabo Mbeki will resign as President of the country. If this is correct, the big question then is what happens to the Deputy President and his cabinet and who will act as President until a new President is elected.
The Times reports this morning that Baleka Mbete will take over as acting President, but as I read the Constitution this is not possible unless the entire cabinet resigns as well. Even then the Speaker can only act as President until the National Assembly designates another of its members as acting President. The reason for this is that the separation of powers between the legislature and the executive makes it unwise for the Speaker of Parliament to head the national executive and only requires this as a last resort for as short a period as possible.
The SABC plans a live broadcast to carry this announcment. We will then hear what wil happen next and what the position of the cabinet is in all of this.
Interesting times.
Yes – The promised SABC News conference has now been postponed for the upteenth time. Looks like the guys in the NEC have not really sorted out the constitutional problems they would encounter. Or are they first sending a deputation to (or are they first conducting a video phone conference with) Thabo Mbeli to see whether he won’t resign out of own volition. Regardless of how bad a president he has been, I wouldn’t have resigned if I was he.
Perhaps the wise men (and women) in the NEC are thinking how to get the whole Cabinet to resign, otherwise Baleka Mbete could not become acting Pres for
As he has now been recalled, I would like to see what happens to the NPA’s appeal and the Zuma case. I’m sure a case could be made that this is the main reason for this whole excercise. A way to get into the power positions necessary to save Zuma.
One of those speaking at the conference intimated as much by mentioning that every time Zuma goes to court the ANC goes to court.
Mantashe even went so far as to say that Mbeki welcomed it!!! I don’t know whether to laugh or cry about that one.
Well, for good or bad, Nicholson has made history, because I think he gave the necessary impetus to make this possible.
This is a great step towards stability… It must be commended…
It is significant that the NEC could not wait for the normal constitutional processes to run its path to the next election. No matter how you look at it, the Mbeki government allowed the judicial processes to run its course in the Zuma sage, something that could not be said for the NEC. At the slightest, untested (by higher council) statement of a Judge Mbeki was given the boot. I regard it as the excesses of a power hungry group – indeed a day that South africa will come to regret!
Stability! I like your choice of words Setume Stone. What if Mbeki, like Zuma did, refuse to resign?
This man is leaving a dreadful legacy of mismanagement and abuse of power. As soon as he’s out of office legally, he should be arrested and charged. He inherited a perfectly-run first-world country and has managed to ruin the entire infrastructure together with its agricultural sector and the military under his dictatorial mismanagement within just a decade. That must be some kind of record, even for African dictators.
I think the ANC has just made a blunder. Should have let Mbeki finish his term. The polls will speak volumes next year.
I’m definitely not for the ANC. They need to rude awakening.
Just shows you that at least the wise-heads in the ANC are still around and does not think like hot-head Malema! A very responsible and well thought through decision by the NEC.
ANC Road map (to somewhere near Zimbabwe)
1. Force Mbeki out.
2. Put Zuma in.
3. Stop all prosecutions and commissions of enquiry
4. Pardon Shaik and other thugs.
5. Kill anyone who keeps asking about Zuma’s guilt or innocence.
6. Stifle debate (oops! Mbeki already did this.)
Well he is gone already. I fully support the dicision. I agree with you Setumo stone it must be commended. This should now pave way for a more stable and united African National Congress. It is clear the ANC has an art of dealing with its internal problems. The fact that there where no hassles but agreements and consesus is even more comforting. So please bloggers especialy Khosi accept the verdict and respect ANC decision.
By the way I will miss his speeches. He had an art in writing having learnt of course from his great mentor O.R Tambo ( he must be turning in his grave).
Amandla!!
Since a decision has been made by the ANC NEC to support the preasured resignation of Mbeki. It would appear that this is a strongly tactical and political move by the powers of the ANC to save Jacob Zuma.
The reality of the situation is that many international investors who currently support RSA question the basic integrity and credibility of Zuma and as a result will not continue to invest in our country. It has to be agreed that the trials, questions & accusations surrounding Jacob Zuma have certainly not helped the global perception of the man. WILL OUR ECONOMY SURVIVE THESE PREASURES?
Whislt I understand that on a local and cultural level that Jacob Zuma has gained significant support – contributing towards his 2009 election campaign, there are still significant concerns by both South Africans and the World pertaining to his values system.
A question was asked whether South Africans would leave their children in the direct care of Jacob Zuma and all the people asked, said, definetly not. The example that was being made was, how can a man who you would not trust your daughters with be entrusted with care, development and growth of your country.
I believe that it is the direct responsibility of each and every person in parliament to ensure that the correct processes are put in place, which will Protect South Africa, our Culture, our People and our Land from been represented by the wrong people (in power).
There needs to be a selection criteria that a possible future presindents should go through before they are even elected as potential presindential candidates.
This process should include validating the credibility, integrity, values, principles, qualifications and experience of such possible candidates.
I cannot stress it enough, that we as South Africans cannot under estimate the importance of how the rest of the world looks at us. Unless South africans want to be slumpted into financial hardship, poverty, souring food and fuel prices etc, We need to stand together and ensure that the perception of the collective “WE” and our country is protected.
In otherwords, Will Jacob Zuma be the rise or fall of South Africa?
@ Sigaba. My sentiments exactly!