A presidential election was held in the National Assembly in South Africa on 15 February 2018 following the resignation of Jacob Zuma on 14 February.[1] Acting president Cyril Ramaphosa of the ruling African National Congress won the election unopposed due to no other party nominating a candidate. Ramaphosa was sworn in by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng at 5pm, 15 February 2018.[2]
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Background
editFollowing the announcement of the resignation of President Jacob Zuma late on 14 February 2018,[3] and official receipt of a letter of resignation by the Speaker of Parliament during the morning of 15 February,[4] Parliament was convened to elect a new president.[5]
The President of South Africa is elected by the members of the National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament. The upper house, the National Council of Provinces, does not participate in the election.[6]
In a press conference before the session, Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) announced that his party will not participate in the election.[7]
Election
editShortly after the start of the sitting of Parliament the EFF objected to the legitimacy of the process, stating that parliament should be dissolved and a general election called. All members of the EFF then walked out.[8]
The Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, Mogoeng Mogoeng presided over the election. He began proceedings by reading Zuma's letter of resignation. Parties traditionally nominate their respective leaders as candidates. Cyril Ramaphosa, leader of the African National Congress and Acting President since Zuma's resignation,[4] was the only nominee. Thus there was no ballot and Ramaphosa was declared duly elected.[8]
Responses
edit- Mosiuoa Lekota, leader of the Congress of the People party objected to the nomination of Ramaphosa, and said his party will take the issue to the Constitutional Court.[9]
- Mmusi Maimane, leader of the Democratic Alliance, congratulated President Ramaphosa, but reminded the house of their motion to dissolve Parliament and call for an early general election.[10]
Oath of Office
editIn a brief ceremony at Tuynhuys, the office of the Presidency in Cape Town, President Elect Ramaphosa was sworn in as the fifth post-apartheid President of South Africa, shortly after 17:00 SAST (15:00 UTC) on 15 February by the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court.[11]
References
edit- ^ "Jacob Zuma resigns as president of South Africa". News24. 14 February 2018. Archived from the original on 15 February 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
- ^ "LIVE: 'I seek to serve with humility, faithfulness and dignity' – President Ramaphosa". News24. 15 February 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
- ^ "President Jacob Zuma FINALLY quits in dramatic late-night address - BizNews.com". BizNews.com. 14 February 2018. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
- ^ a b "Speaker confirms receipt of Zuma resignation letter | IOL News". Independent Online. 15 February 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
- ^ "Parliament receives Zuma resignation letter". enca.com. 15 February 2018. Archived from the original on 11 September 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
- ^ "Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 – Chapter 5: The President and National Executive, 88. Term of office of President".
- ^ "LIVE: EFF won't participate in 'election of new president' – Malema". News24. 15 February 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
- ^ a b "Cyril Ramaphosa has been elected president of South Africa". 15 February 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
- ^ "Cyril Ramaphosa elected president of South Africa". Sowetan Live. 15 February 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
- ^ "LIVE: Ramaphosa officially declared the president of South Africa". News24. 15 February 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
- ^ Davis, Gaye (15 February 2018). "[WATCH LIVE] Ramaphosa sworn in as SA president". Eyewitness News.