South Africans in London call on President Zuma to quit

Record ID: 566510

  • Title: South Africans in London call on President Zuma to quit
  • Date: 8th April 2017
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) SUPPORTER OF SOUTH AFRICA'S RULING PARTY AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS (ANC), RAMADIMETJE MASHIGO, SAYING: "He hasn't failed 100 percent, but what we are saying is change what we think has to be changed. The Guptas (a wealthy family accused of holding undue political sway over Zuma) are running our country, or whoever is running our country. We don't know the back men behind him (Zuma), but we are saying let other youngsters go in. Yes he reshuffled to the youngsters, but I think he needs to reshuffle himself too." SOUTH AFRICAN FLAG ON BACK OF MAN'S SPORTS SHIRT PLACARD READING (English): "NO DODGY NUCLEAR DEAL" PLACARD READING (English): "#ZUMA MUST FALL" / PLACARD READING (English): "#ZEXIT" VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS HOLDING PLACARDS AND FLAGS
  • Embargoed: 22nd April 2017 15:37
  • Keywords: President Zuma South Africa London protest high commission
  • Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK
  • City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0036BJFOEF
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Hundreds of South Africans gathered outside the South African High Commission in London on Saturday (April 8) to protest against President Jacob Zuma, calling for his resignation.
    The rally in London ran alongside other protests taking place in major South African cities, as thousands took to the streets demanding Zuma to quit after a cabinet reshuffle triggered the latest crisis of his presidency.
    Will van der Merwe, a member of the South Africa's Democratic Alliance (DA) opposition party, handed a petition demanding Zuma's resignation to a representative of South Africa's High Commissioner. He cited the downgrade of the country's credit status by rating agency S&P Global Ratings to "junk" on Monday (April 3) as an example of Zuma's presidency, which he called "reckless".
    Ramadimetje Mashigo, a supporter of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), attended the rally and echoed the opposition's calls for the removal of Zuma, but she said the country's political problems stemmed from "back men" who influenced the president.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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