IANS | 05 Apr, 2017
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) called for the
resignation of President Jacob Zuma after a controversial cabinet
reshuffle that has deeply divided officialdom in the African country.
The
call made by COSATU on Tuesday, a member of the alliance led by the
African National Congress (ANC) which has been ruling South Africa for
23 years, increased pressure on President Zuma.
Zuma has caused a
serious rift in the government and his own party after the sacking of
Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan on Friday because of opposing several
plans of the President and the high cost to the South African treasury.
According to COSATU secretary-general Bheki Ntshalintshali, the unions no longer believe in Zuma's leadership capacity.
COSATU includes unions from all economic sectors and has nearly two million members.
The
congress's demands came a day after Standard & Poor's financial
company downgraded South Africa's credit rating to junk status,
considering the cabinet reshuffle a division in the party.
Gordhan
has become a symbol of integrity in South Africa because of his
opposition to some of Zuma's most controversial projects.
The
former finance minister said that such projects would benefit the Gupta
family, a clan of businessmen who have investments with the president's
family.
