Jacob Zuma, the president of South Africa has resigned after days of defying orders from the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to leave office and on the eve of a no-confidence vote in parliament.

In a televised address to the nation late on Wednesday, the 75-year-old said he was a disciplined member of the ANC, to which he had dedicated his life.

He said he wasn’t afraid of no motion of no confidence or impeachment and he will continue to serve the people of South Africa and the ANC.

He promised to dedicate hi life to continue to work for the execution of the policies of the organization.

He said no life should be lost in his name, thefore the ANC should never be divided in his name.

The resignation ended an extraordinary day in South African politics, which had begun with a drawn raid on a business family at the centre of the recent corruption allegations leveled at Zuma.