This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-39770620
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
South Africa's Jacob Zuma abandons rally after being booed | South Africa's Jacob Zuma abandons rally after being booed |
(about 9 hours later) | |
South Africa's scandal-hit President Jacob Zuma has abandoned a May Day rally after he was booed by workers demanding his resignation. | South Africa's scandal-hit President Jacob Zuma has abandoned a May Day rally after he was booed by workers demanding his resignation. |
Scuffles broke out between Mr Zuma's supporters and opponents, resulting in all speeches being cancelled. | Scuffles broke out between Mr Zuma's supporters and opponents, resulting in all speeches being cancelled. |
The main labour federation, Cosatu, called on Mr Zuma to step down last month after he sacked his widely respected finance minister. | The main labour federation, Cosatu, called on Mr Zuma to step down last month after he sacked his widely respected finance minister. |
Mr Zuma's allies say he will remain in office until his term ends in 2019. | Mr Zuma's allies say he will remain in office until his term ends in 2019. |
He was seen on live television hastily leaving the podium and being whisked away in a motorcade from the rally in Bloemfontein city, Reuters news agency reports. | He was seen on live television hastily leaving the podium and being whisked away in a motorcade from the rally in Bloemfontein city, Reuters news agency reports. |
Mr Zuma attended the rally despite the fact that powerful affiliates of Cosatu, the Congress of South African Trade Unions, had opposed his presence. | Mr Zuma attended the rally despite the fact that powerful affiliates of Cosatu, the Congress of South African Trade Unions, had opposed his presence. |
Cosatu is part of a formal alliance with the governing African National Congress (ANC). | Cosatu is part of a formal alliance with the governing African National Congress (ANC). |
Earlier, sections of the crowd sang a song which, loosely translated, means: "Have you heard the good news? Zuma is going", South Africa's privately owned News24 site reports. | Earlier, sections of the crowd sang a song which, loosely translated, means: "Have you heard the good news? Zuma is going", South Africa's privately owned News24 site reports. |
Cosatu leader Sdumo Dlamini said the rally had been marred by "chaos", forcing its cancellation. | Cosatu leader Sdumo Dlamini said the rally had been marred by "chaos", forcing its cancellation. |
The protest required "thorough reflection" on the part of the country's leaders, he said. | The protest required "thorough reflection" on the part of the country's leaders, he said. |
Senior ANC officials were also booed at a May Day rally in Durban city, the political heartland of Mr Zuma. | Senior ANC officials were also booed at a May Day rally in Durban city, the political heartland of Mr Zuma. |
Pressure on Mr Zuma to resign has been mounting since he sacked Pravin Gordhan as finance minister in March. | Pressure on Mr Zuma to resign has been mounting since he sacked Pravin Gordhan as finance minister in March. |
It led to global rating agencies downgrading South Africa to junk status. | It led to global rating agencies downgrading South Africa to junk status. |
The reshuffle was condemned by trade unions, big business, the opposition and and senior members of the government, including Deputy President Cyril Rampahosa. | The reshuffle was condemned by trade unions, big business, the opposition and and senior members of the government, including Deputy President Cyril Rampahosa. |
The opposition has repeatedly accused Mr Zuma of being corrupt, and says the reshuffle was aimed at giving him and his allies greater access to government money. | The opposition has repeatedly accused Mr Zuma of being corrupt, and says the reshuffle was aimed at giving him and his allies greater access to government money. |
Mr Zuma said the reshuffle was aimed at promoting "radical economic transformation" to benefit the poor black majority. | Mr Zuma said the reshuffle was aimed at promoting "radical economic transformation" to benefit the poor black majority. |
South Africa's president has been dogged by allegations of corruption for more than a decade. | South Africa's president has been dogged by allegations of corruption for more than a decade. |
Last year, a court ruled that he should face corruption charges over a 1999 arms deal. | Last year, a court ruled that he should face corruption charges over a 1999 arms deal. |
Mr Zuma is appealing against the ruling. | Mr Zuma is appealing against the ruling. |
In a separate case last year, South Africa's highest court ruled that he had breached his oath of office by failing to repay government money used to upgrade his private residence. | In a separate case last year, South Africa's highest court ruled that he had breached his oath of office by failing to repay government money used to upgrade his private residence. |
He repaid the money, but rejected calls to step down. | |
Mr Zuma is due to step down as leader of the ANC in December, and as South Africa's president in 2019. | Mr Zuma is due to step down as leader of the ANC in December, and as South Africa's president in 2019. |
His ex-wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Mr Rampahosa are vying to succeed him in both positions. | His ex-wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Mr Rampahosa are vying to succeed him in both positions. |