Cosatu the latest to call for President Zuma's head

"Cosatu no longer believes that the president is the right person to unite and lead the alliance, the movement and the country. We think that after all his undeniable contribution, both to the movement and government, the time has arrived for him to step down and allow the country to be led by a new collective at government level," said Cosatu  General Secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali.

Cosatu briefed the media following its Special Central Executive Committee meeting today to finalise the preparations for the upcoming Cosatu Central Committee. 

The meeting also discussed last week's cabinet reshuffle.

"President Zuma failed to deal with some of the most incompetent minister in his cabinet, proving that this cabinet reshuffle was not based on merit, but on political loyalty," said Ntshalintshali.

Ntshalintshali said they are concerned by Standard & Poor's (S&P) downgrade of South Africa's sovereign credit rating to junk status.

S&P lowered its long-term foreign currency sovereign credit rating on the Republic of South Africa to 'BB+' from 'BBB-' and the long-term local currency rating to 'BBB-' from 'BBB', citing political instability as the main reason.

"We are worried, because the junk status will result in the increase in borrowing costs, not only for government, but across the economy."