Members of South Africa’s ANC chanted slogans outside its headquarters on Monday, demanding that President Jacob Zuma steps down.
The uproar was described as a rare public show of anger in the ruling party after its worst election performance since the end of apartheid in 1994.
The demonstrators argue that Zuma, whose rule has been tainted by scandal, is responsible for the African National Congress (ANC), losing control of three major urban centers in local elections last month. They claimed that the result as a result of the government’s mismanagement of the economy that is now teetering on the edge of recession.
Though the protesters numbered fewer than 100, the demonstration kept political tension high in Africa’s most industrialised country, where markets have been rocked by a police investigation into Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.
Political analysts say Gordhan is the target of an ANC faction allied to Zuma. The president’s office has denied claims Zuma was warring with Gordhan.
Some of the protesters carried placards, with one emblazoned: “Resign with immediate effect: ANC NEC and Jacob Zuma”, referring to the party’s National Executive Committee of Zuma and five other party leaders.
A placard by rival Zuma supporters read: “Don’t try this at Luthuli House”.
Critics of Zuma say he is also badly compromised by his relationship with the Guptas, a family of wealthy Indian businessmen with interests ranging from media and meining, who the opposition says exerts undue political influence over the president.
