Top News
Zuma defies ANC’s ultimatum, refuses to quit (Second Lead)
Johannesburg, Feb 14 (IANS) South African President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday said he would not be stepping down after the ruling African National Congress (ANC) announced that he had until the end of the day to tender his resignation or else face a vote of no-confidence.
In an interview with public broadcaster SABC, Zuma said he had not been given any reason as to why he should resign, but his almost 10-year stint in office has been stained by a slew of high-level corruption allegations that have left him isolated from the ANC’s national executive committee.
He said the effort to remove him by the ANC was “unfair”.
“It was very unfair to me that this issue is raised…Nobody has ever provided the reasons. Nobody is saying what I have done,” he said.
While expressing his disagreement to resign, Zuma said he was not defying the decision by the leadership of the ruling party. He said he will be making a statement later in the day on the matter.
The ANC parliamentary caucus on Wednesday agreed that if the President did not resign, they would try to remove him through a vote of no-confidence in Parliament on Thursday.
“We can no longer wait beyond today, we don’t want to keep South Africa waiting,” said ANC treasurer Paul Mashatile at a press conference. “The decision has been taken, it must be implemented.”
The party wants Vice President and ANC leader Cyril Ramaphosa to take Zuma’s place.
Earlier in the day, an elite South African police team raided the luxurious family home of the controversial Gupta family — a clan of Indian-born businessmen — linked to Zuma.
Officials said three people were arrested as part of an investigation into the wealthy Guptas who are known to wield substantial influence in the South African politics due to close ties with the President.
The Gupta family has been accused of “state capture” — using their close ties with Zuma and a number of senior government officials to influence ministerial appointments, secure multi-million dollar government contracts and gain access to inside information.
The Guptas and Zuma deny all allegations of wrongdoing.
The debate surrounding a premature exit from the presidency for Zuma, whose term is set to end in 2019, has been bolstered by the serious corruption scandals that surround him.
ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule had announced on Tuesday that the party’s leadership had formally requested the President to step down after weeks of political maneuvers and negotiations behind closed doors.
–IANS
soni/vm
Top News
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.