Jessie Duarte resign

Presidential top official Jessie Duarte has resigned following frictions in the administration of President Jacob Zuma. The presidency announced five minutes ago that she has resigned as its Chief Operating Officer. "She will leave her position at the end of May 2010 to pursue other interests and give more time to her political work for the African National Congress," the statement said. "Ms Duarte has contributed immensely in stabilising the administration of The Presidency. The organizational restructuring that The Presidency has undergone can largely be attributed to her work and vision as guided by the Union Building's political principals." Duarte's resignation follows clashes between her and the president's chief of staff Lakela Kaunda even though this was initially denied.