S. Africans protest, call for removal of President Zuma

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - Thousands took to the streets in major cities in South Africa on Tuesday calling for the removal of President Jacob Zuma ahead of a vote of no confidence against him in parliament later in the day.

"We urge each and every member of parliament to vote against Zuma today," civil society activist Sipho Pityana told a huge crowd outside the parliament in Cape Town.

Secretary General of the South African Federation of Trade Unions Zwelinzima Vavi said Zuma was turning South Africa into a banana republic and should be removed before doing so.

"How can one person hold 55 million South Africans to ransom?" opposition Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane asked the crowd which responded with "Zuma must go".

The protests being broadcast on the national television showed protesters dressed in different political party regalia, carrying South Africa’s flag and placards calling for Zuma to step down.

Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters party (EFF), claimed that Zuma had sold South Africa to the influential Indian Gupta family accused of having close relations with the president.

Zuma has on several occasions denied claims of favoring the Gupta family or having any corrupt relationship with them.

Malema said if African National Congress parliamentarians vote in favor of keeping Zuma, it would mean they are as corrupt as he is.

Protesters in capital Pretoria gathered outside the seat of government calling for Zuma to be voted out. A few were also seen protesting across the Johannesburg Central Business District earlier on Tuesday.

Zuma, who came to power in 2009, has been accused of several corruption scandals, but denies the allegations.

He has survived several no confidence votes in the parliament because of the ANC’s majority in the National Assembly. The ANC has 249 seats in the 400-seat assembly.