File photo taken on Dec. 16, 2017 shows that South African President Jacob Zuma addresses the conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. South African President Jacob Zuma declared his resignation when addressing the nation on Feb. 14, 2018. (Xinhua/David Naicker)
JOHANNESBURG, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- The South African parliament said on Thursday that it has received the resignation letter of besieged President Jacob Zuma, and it is effective immediately.
"The Speaker of the National Assembly has today, 15 February, received a letter from President Jacob Zuma informing her of his resignation as the President of the Republic of South Africa," the Parliament said in a statement.
The speaker thanked Zuma for his service to the people of South Africa in the last eight years and wish him well.
According to the statement, a new president will be elected at 2 p.m. on Thursday afternoon.
