As the Sunday Times announced today, “Mbeki’s Out.”

He formally resigned in a speech this evening at 19h30. 

Now more questions arise: Who will temporarily lead the country?  Will the NPA try Zuma on the 16 counts of fraud and corruption?  Will Zuma also step aside and abandon his 2009 bid for the presidency?  If he does, who will be the new leader of South Africa?

It’s really quite incredible to be in the country at this point in history.  Everyone is talking about Mbeki’s forced resignation, and there’s no agreement on 1.) exactly why the ANC asked him to resign, 2.) whether Mbeki should have, or 3.) who the new leader of the party will be.  There are conspiracy theories on both sides: “they’re after Zuma,” and “they’re after Mbeki.”  Zuma is more of the populist candidate.  Many wealthy white South Africans are nervous about the prospect of Zuma leading the country.

Pietermaritzburg Judge Chris Nicholson said last week that the decision to prosecute former Vice President and current President of the African National Congress (ANC) Jacob Zuma on fraud and corruption charges was not valid. The case was thrown out. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), however, has appealed the case.

In his ruling, Judge Nicholson mentioned that President Thabo Mbeki may have inappropriately interfered in the case- a suggestion that now has many calling for Mbeki’s resignation.

If Mbeki leaves office, either the speaker of parliament or Zuma would lead the country. Zuma is already the favourite in next year’s presidential elections. He is the current President of the African National Congress (ANC) (in the South African system you can be president of a political party but not necessarily President of the country).

The ANC is meeting to discuss the matter. They could force Mbeki to resign.

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