#ZumaExit: Mantashe urges patience during talks

President Jacob Zuma Picture: Philimon Bulawayo/Reuters

President Jacob Zuma Picture: Philimon Bulawayo/Reuters

Published Feb 10, 2018

Share

Johannesburg - South Africans should be

patient with ANC leader

Cyril Ramaphosa as he holds talks with President Jacob Zuma for

a transition of power, the party's national chairperson said on

Saturday.

Ramaphosa has been lobbying for Zuma to resign and has said

he hopes to conclude talks with him "in coming days ... in the

interests of the country."

Addressing an ANC rally in Mpumalanga, Gwede Mantashe said ANC officials should be fearless

and must be able to make difficult decisions, but leaders had a

duty to "analyse and mitigate risks".

"There is no disagreement about where we want to go (on

Zuma) but the tactics on how to do that is the responsibility of

leadership," Mantashe told the rally.

Speaking to SABC television after his

speech, Mantashe said people should give the ANC space to manage

a "very complex situation".

Read: 

#ZumaExit: ANCYL in Gauteng turns against JZ

          

"Allow (Ramaphosa) to lead, Leadership is a science, a

profession and also an art. Allow Cyril Ramaphosa to execute and

use his art and his personality to manage this," Mantashe said.

Ramaphosa has ignored frustration from some sections of the

media and opposition parties who have been howling for Zuma to

go for years.

Zuma, the most controversial president since the

end of apartheid, has overseen a tumultuous

nine years in power marked by economic decline and numerous

allegations of corruption.

Zuma has not said whether he will resign voluntarily before

his second term as president ends in the middle of next year. He

still retains the support of a faction within the ANC but has

seen several prominent party allies desert him.

Mantashe said ANC officials would meet later on Saturday to

discuss the transition, but Zuma will not be part of the

meeting.

Ramaphosa is due to give a speech on Sunday as part of

year-long celebrations to mark 100 years since the birth of

former President Nelson Mandela. 

Reuters

Related Topics:

zumacharges