It's time for Zuma to step down - New York Times editorial

Cape Town – The New York Times has added its voice to calls for President Jacob Zuma to be removed from office (see here).

The influential American newspaper published an editorial stating it was time for Zuma to step down, following the Constitutional Court's ruling that he and the National Assembly had violated the constitution.

"Cronyism, corruption and scandal have swirled around Jacob Zuma since before he became president of South Africa in May 2009, and the muck has only deepened since," it said.

The editorial referred to reported links with the Guptas and Zuma's sacking of finance minister Nhlanhla Nene.

"It is a shame that the ANC, the party of Nelson Mandela, is allowing its moral and political authority to be so grievously eroded by Mr Zuma, instead of bringing his corrupt presidency to an end."

It said the ANC's national executive committee was stacked with allies of the president and was evidently loath to take action against him in a year of local government elections.

"Yet the need for action becomes more urgent with every new scandal."

The editorial said the court's finding that the president had failed up uphold, defend and respect the Constitution "has been the story of Mr Zuma's leadership".

"The president of South Africa is elected by Parliament, which is dominated by the ANC, so a withdrawal of support by the ANC national executive committee would be tantamount to a demand that Mr. Zuma resign. It's time."

This article first appeared on News24 – see here.