Civil Society Organisations to announce protest action against Zuma

The group released a statement saying an alliance of civil society, church, trade union and academic organisations held an urgent meeting on Tuesday evening following the debate to have President Zuma impeached "to discuss the growing political and economic crisis that faces South Africa."

In attendance were representatives of the Anglican Church of SA, the Evangelical Alliance, the SA Christian Leadership Initiative, the United Front, trade unions, the artists' coalition and civil society organisations including Corruption Watch and the TAC.

"The meeting took place in the wake of another vote in Parliament which, by voting against impeaching the President, dishonoured our Constitution and disappointed millions of people. This means our country will continue to lurch from crisis to crisis. Clearly the National Assembly has yet to understand the Constitutional Court's pronouncements on the separation of powers and its primary duty to defend and advance the Constitution," the statement said.

The group said South Africans were feeling the pain and that anger and urgency was growing. 

"Ever larger numbers of people and organisations join the clamour to insist that Jacob Zuma resign or be removed by the ANC. Political parties have failed. Persuasion and appeal has failed. The courts have spoken. Now the people will have to reclaim our hard won democracy from those who defile it for self-interest."

The group said it would announce the first steps in a plan of nationwide protest, social mobilisation and consultation.