JOHANNESBURG (AP) – Calls are growing for South African President Jacob Zuma to resign even though parliament defeated an opposition motion to remove him because of a spending scandal.
A coalition of church, academic and other groups is organizing a protest campaign against Zuma, who apologized after the country’s top court ruled that he violated the constitution in a scandal over millions of dollars in state spending on his private home. The alliance says it will discuss its plans later Wednesday.
Prominent South Africans who say Zuma should resign include Trevor Manuel, a former finance minister, and Ahmed Kathrada, a former anti-apartheid activist who was close to Nelson Mandela.
Parliament, which is dominated by the ruling African National Congress party, on Tuesday voted against impeachment of the president.