Jacob Zuma defies calls to quit as ‘premier league’ continues to protect him
President Jacob Zuma has rebuffed calls to resign over the scandals that have marred his administration and spread dissent in the ruling party, largely thanks to a bloc of politicians known as the "premier league" that is watching out for him. With urban voters deserting the ANC, Zuma is increasingly counting on the backing of the premiers of three rural provinces. When Cabinet ministers pressed Zuma to resign at the party’s national executive committee (NEC) meeting in November, Free State Premier Ace Magashule said they should either quit or be fired, according to two people who attended the meeting. Magashule did not answer calls seeking comment. "There is a reciprocal relationship between Zuma and the three premiers," said Mcebisi Ndletyana, a politics professor at the University of Johannesburg. "They were propped up by Jacob Zuma so there is a certain level of personal loyalty to him." Both Magashule and Mpumalanga premier David Mabuza became premiers within days of each other...
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