AS IT HAPPENED: Zuma resigns as president

10.55pm:

“I also thank the citizens of the republic.”

He said it had been an honour to be president.

He thanked all pillars of government and arms of state for the work they had accomplished.

He thanked all political parties in parliament.

He also extended thanks to the international community.

“No life should be lost in my name and also the ANC should not be divided in my name. I have therefore come to the decision for me to resign as president of the republic with immediate effect.”

10.53pm:

“I do not fear exiting political office, however I have only asked my party to articulate my transgressions.

“This was important in terms of the discussions I heard with the president of the ANC.”

He said it was discussed that there was a need for a period of transition during which he would delegate some of the functions to the deputy president of the republic.

“I must accept that if my party and my compatriots believe that I should be removed from office, that they must do so in the manner prescribed. … They are the lawful mechanisms to remove their president.

Zuma: I fear no motion of no confidence and impeachment because they are lawful mechanism for people of this country to remove their president." (@hlatseentle)

— Team News24 (@TeamNews24) February 14, 2018

“I have served the people of SA to the best of my ability.

“I am grateful that they accepted me …

“I understood and undertook to subscribe myself to the highest law of the land: The Constitution.”

10.47pm:

“I did not agree to serve in order to exit with benefits of the office of the president. It is my party that placed me to serve.”

10.36pm:

“None of us, no matter how perfect, can claim that the building of a new society … into a modern political party, happen in a straight line. It has detours, human error and boulders along the path,” said Zuma.

“All my life I have served and continue to serve the ANC.”

He said he had served the party within the ‘much-acclaimed’ constitution.

#Zuma: I am forever indebted to the ANC liberation movement where I have served almost all my life. I respect each member and leader of this movement. @ANN7tv

— Kalden O Lachungpa (@KaldenOngmu) February 14, 2018

10.34pm:

Zuma said it was now public knowledge that the NEC had resolved to recall him as president.

10.33pm: 

Zuma steps onto the podium.

10.25pm

Zuma is yet to take to the podium.

Jacob Zuma has become notorious for late-night announcements and much-delayed meetings. He's doing both tonight. He announced that he would address the nation at 10 pm — and he still hasn't materialized.

— Geoffrey York (@geoffreyyork) February 14, 2018

9.50pm

President Jacob Zuma will tonight, 14 February 2018, address the nation in Pretoria. https://t.co/MoK1lVYRGS

— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) February 14, 2018

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