Deputy of South African Pres Jacob Zuma in talks to replace him as president

World Today

This handout photo taken on February 7, 2018 and provided by the Government Communications and Information Services (GCIS) shows South African President Jacob Zuma (L) and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa attending a scheduled routine meeting of the Cabinet Committee with ministers and deputy at parliament in Cape Town. South Africa’s deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa on February 7 vowed a “speedy resolution” to talks on the future of embattled leader Jacob Zuma, expected to step down after mounting political turmoil. ( AFP PHOTO / GCIS / Elmond Jivane)

An announcement on the political fate of South African President Jacob Zuma could come at any moment.

Zuma’s deputy, Cyril Ramaphosa, says he is in “direct talks” with the 75-year-old leader to replace him.

CGTN’s Rene del Carme reports.

The political landscape in South Africa is filled with tension and confusion at the moment, as the nation waits to hear the fate of its leader.

The State of the Nation Address was postponed on Tuesday, in anticipation of the proceedings being disrupted by opposition parties, who no longer regard President Zuma as a legitimate leader of South Africa.

The ANC – which has long been plagued by divisions and factionalism – was expected to decide on an exit strategy for Jacob Zuma on Wednesday.

Journalists from around the world – waited for hours at South Africa’s Parliament in Cape Town – expecting to be addressed by ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Or anyone in the ANC Leadership to shed light on President Jacob Zuma’s future and the way forward for South Africa.

President Zuma and his Government Ministers met for Cabinet meetings at Parliament all day on Wednesday.

And were determined to show that they were conducting business as usual.

“He’s here. He’s going with his work. And if there’s anything that needs to be updated from the point of a party point-of-view, there will. Hence yesterday we said from point-of-view, works continues. We’ve had our meetings as cabinet. Tomorrow we are continuing. Next week we have a cabinet meeting. We’ll do a press briefing afterwards.”

Ramaphosa issued a written statement, saying that he and Jacob Zuma had begun constructive discussions on Tuesday night, regarding President Zuma’s position.

Meanwhile, opposition parties – who welcomed the unprecedented postponement of the State of The Nation Address – said that the ANC could not hold the nation to ransom.

They said South Africa could not ground to a halt to allow the ANC to fight its internal battles.