Jacob Zuma no-confidence motion set for parliament on Thursday: ANC

ANC party treasurer-general said parliament would then “proceed to elect (Cyril) Ramaphosa as president of the republic.”

South Africa’s parliament will hold a motion of no-confidence in President Jacob Zuma on Thursday, the ruling ANC party said, signalling its determination to eject him from office after days of stalemate.

South African president, Jacob Zuma, arrives for the formal opening of parliament in Cape Town. (AFP File Photo)

“We have now asked the chief whip to proceed with the motion of no confidence tomorrow in parliament... so that President Zuma is then removed,” ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile told reporters on Wednesday.

He said parliament, where the ANC has a large majority, would then “proceed to elect (Cyril) Ramaphosa as president of the republic”.

“For us, as the ANC leadership, we can no longer wait beyond today,” Mashatile said.

“We don’t want to keep South Africa waiting. If President Zuma at some point will respond he will respond, but we can’t continue waiting. The decision has been taken and must be implemented.”

The power struggle over Zuma’s departure has put him at loggerheads with deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, his expected successor, who is the new head of the ANC.