Q & AAfrica

In South Africa, Zuma’s Latest ‘Victory’ Betrays His—and the ANC’s—Weakness

In South Africa, Zuma’s Latest ‘Victory’ Betrays His—and the ANC’s—Weakness
Opposition demonstrators gather on the lawns of the Union Buildings, Pretoria, South Africa, April 12, 2017 (AP photo by Denis Farrell).

Editor’s Note: Every Friday, WPR Associate Editor Robbie Corey-Boulet curates the top news and analysis from and about the African continent.

South African President Jacob Zuma survived another no-confidence vote in parliament this week. But for the first time the process was conducted via secret ballot, and the result highlighted dissension within the ranks of the African National Congress, or ANC, as the party prepares to choose a standard-bearer for elections in 2019.

A total of 177 lawmakers voted in favor of the no-confidence motion, including around 30 ANC members—what Reuters described as “an unprecedented revolt.” Zuma has been dogged by corruption scandals for years; last year, for example, a court found he inappropriately used state funds to upgrade his private residence with amenities including a swimming pool and a chicken run. The immediate trigger for the recent attempts to remove him was his decision to fire Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in March.

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