It appears to be business as usual for President Jacob Zuma‚ despite reports that his resignation is imminent.
The president’s office announced on Wednesday that Zuma is going about his day as normal.
The first statement said Zuma is attending routine cabinet committee meetings‚ while another said he would officiate at a high-profile event on Saturday.
There have been strong indications since Monday that Zuma’s exit could be on the cards. But some doubt was raised on Wednesday when the president’s itinerary showed no signs of aberration.
“President Jacob Zuma is today‚ 07 February 2018‚ chairing the routine meetings of Cabinet Committees as scheduled‚” the presidency said.
“The Cabinet Committees sitting today include the Economic Sectors‚ Employment and Infrastructure Development (ESEID) and the International Cooperation‚ Trade and Security (ICTS). A routine Cabinet meeting will take place next week.
“The meetings of Cabinet Committees take place on Tuesdays‚ Wednesdays and Thursdays to process matters that will be taken to Cabinet.”
The presidency said later that Zuma would also be on duty at the annual Ubuntu Awards at the Cape Town International Convention Centre‚ which this year honours former president Nelson Mandela and celebrates South Africans who “play an active role in projecting a positive image of South Africa internationally.”
Speculation about Zuma’s fate was fuelled after the State of the Nation Address was indefinitely postponed on Tuesday. Zuma was due to deliver the address on Thursday. A special meeting of the ANC’s national executive committee was also called off. Reports then suggested that Zuma had agreed to resign after consultation with deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa.
National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete said on Wednesday morning that Ramaphosa would relay details of Zuma’s fate later in the day.
-TimesLIVE
Source: TMG Digital.
