Amid South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's bid to be re-elected as the Chief of the African National Congress, the leader's don't seem to end. Just days after Ramaphosa survived the impeachment scare the ANC leader received jolt from former President Zuma.

Zuma suing Ramaphosa over leaked medical reports, says 'Ramaphosa neglected his duties as President'

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa looks all set to retain his position as the leader of the country’s ruling party African National Congress (ANC) despite major corruption charges. The veteran politician has been in the headlines for his involvement in a tax evasion plot but a motion for impeachment against him was completely dismissed after a parliamentary vote. The support is expected to continue from his party as the leadership vote will take place in Johannesburg on Saturday.&nbsp;

Ramaphosa came to power on the back of a strong anti-corruption message as he spoke openly against his predecessor Jacob Zuma and his alleged abuse of power. While the national sentiment did turn against him recently, the ANC has stood by him and has supported him through the period.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-holds-phone-conversation-with-putin-reviews-energy-trade-and-defence-ties-543698">PM Modi holds phone conversation with Putin, reviews energy, defence ties</a>

Ramaphosa will be fighting the leadership vote against former health minister Zweli Mkhize – a politician who is also facing corruption charges over the misuse of COVID-19 funds. While he has been a supporter of Ramaphosa, he has recently created his own faction in a bid to win the top spot in the party.&nbsp;

A win for Ramaphosa in the leadership race will also make sure that if ANC wins the general elections in 2024, the 70-year-old Ramaphosa is guaranteed another turn as President of South Africa.&nbsp;

While the party continued to support Ramaphosa, there have been a number of protests outside his house regarding the corruption charges. However, Ramaphosa told a party fundraising dinner that the leadership vote will "determine where South Africa goes not only (for) the next five years but in the next decade and beyond that".&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa looks all set to retain his position as the leader of the country’s ruling party African National Congress (ANC) despite major corruption charges.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa looks all set to retain his position as the leader of the country’s ruling party African National Congress (ANC) despite major corruption charges. The veteran politician has been in the headlines for his involvement in a tax evasion plot but a motion for impeachment against him was completely dismissed after a parliamentary vote. The support is expected to continue from his party as the leadership vote will take place in Johannesburg on Saturday. Ramaphosa came to power on the back of a strong anti-corruption message as he spoke openly against his predecessor Jacob Zuma and his alleged abuse of power. While the national sentiment did turn against him recently, the ANC has stood by him and has supported him through the period. Also read | PM Modi holds phone conversation with Putin, reviews energy, defence ties Ramaphosa will be fighting the leadership vote against former health minister Zweli Mkhize – a politician who is also facing corruption charges over the misuse of COVID-19 funds. While he has been a supporter of Ramaphosa, he has recently created his own faction in a bid to win the top spot in the party. A win for Ramaphosa in the leadership race will also make sure that if ANC wins the general elections in 2024, the 70-year-old Ramaphosa is guaranteed another turn as President of South Africa. While the party continued to support Ramaphosa, there have been a number of protests outside his house regarding the corruption charges. However, Ramaphosa told a party fundraising dinner that the leadership vote will "determine where South Africa goes not only (for) the next five years but in the next decade and beyond that".

Cyril Ramaphosa expected to win re-election as ANC leader in South Africa

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa on Monday (December 5) rallied behind the embattled President Cyril Ramaphosa on the eve of a parliamentary vote which may lead to the president's impeachment.

Top ANC leaders, after meeting to decide the fate of Ramaphosa, decided to stand by him. The party has decided to oppose ant motion that will seek to remove him.

"Should parliament proceed tomorrow, the ANC will not support that vote," ANC interim secretary-general Paul Mashatile told reporters after day-long talks.

Watch | Farmgate Scandal: South African Prez Ramaphosa denies allegations against him

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/farmgate-scandal-south-african-prez-ramaphosa-has-denies-allegations-against-him-540135/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Monday was an eventful day for Ramaphosa who mounted an 11th-hour legal challenge to have a damning report on an alleged cover-up of a cash robbery at his farm annulled.

On Tuesday, the country's parliament is due to debate a report submitted by an independent panel last week. The report has found that Ramaphosa "may have committed" serious violations and misconduct.

The parliament sitting is a step that could lead to a vote on forcing Ramaphosa from office.

Two-thirds of the assembly will have to vote in favour of a removal motion for Ramaphosa to be forced out. The ANC has 230 out of 400 seats.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/s-africa-ramaphosa-urges-supreme-court-to-put-impeachment-report-on-hold-540367">S. Africa: Ramaphosa urges supreme court to put impeachment report on hold</a>

In papers filed to the Constitutional Court and made available to the media by his spokesman, the president petitioned to have the report "reviewed, declared unlawful and set aside".

The move helped consolidate party support for Ramaphosa, as Mashatile cited it as the reason for the decision by the ANC's highest body -- the National Executive Committee (NEC) -- to back Ramaphosa.

The president has insisted he would not resign after the special panel's report, but his political future remains uncertain. &nbsp; 
On Monday he briefly attended an NEC meeting which discussed the crisis.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa on Monday (December 5) rallied behind the embattled President Cyril Ramaphosa on the eve of a parliamentary vote which may lead to the president's impeachment.

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa on Monday (December 5) rallied behind the embattled President Cyril Ramaphosa on the eve of a parliamentary vote which may lead to the president's impeachment. Top ANC leaders, after meeting to decide the fate of Ramaphosa, decided to stand by him. The party has decided to oppose ant motion that will seek to remove him. "Should parliament proceed tomorrow, the ANC will not support that vote," ANC interim secretary-general Paul Mashatile told reporters after day-long talks. Watch | Farmgate Scandal: South African Prez Ramaphosa denies allegations against him × Monday was an eventful day for Ramaphosa who mounted an 11th-hour legal challenge to have a damning report on an alleged cover-up of a cash robbery at his farm annulled. On Tuesday, the country's parliament is due to debate a report submitted by an independent panel last week. The report has found that Ramaphosa "may have committed" serious violations and misconduct. The parliament sitting is a step that could lead to a vote on forcing Ramaphosa from office. Two-thirds of the assembly will have to vote in favour of a removal motion for Ramaphosa to be forced out. The ANC has 230 out of 400 seats. Also Read | S. Africa: Ramaphosa urges supreme court to put impeachment report on hold In papers filed to the Constitutional Court and made available to the media by his spokesman, the president petitioned to have the report "reviewed, declared unlawful and set aside". The move helped consolidate party support for Ramaphosa, as Mashatile cited it as the reason for the decision by the ANC's highest body -- the National Executive Committee (NEC) -- to back Ramaphosa. The president has insisted he would not resign after the special panel's report, but his political future remains uncertain. On Monday he briefly attended an NEC meeting which discussed the crisis. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

South Africa: ANC rallies around embattled President Ramaphosa

The African National Congress, South Africa's ruling party is scheduled to Host Its 54th National Conference next December. Political factions, corruption allegations and diminishing trust plague the ANC as female candidates jostle for leadership roles.

World of Africa | South Africa: ANC's moment of reckoning

In all the new South Africa's ruling party, the African National Congress is scheduled to host its 54th National Conference in December this year. With less than three months to go, the party has actively begun to nominate its preferred candidates for leadership positions from all provinces.

South Africa: ANC's moment of reckoning, to host national conference in December

With the growing discontent over alleged corruption and inconsistent essential services, South Africa's ANC has registered its worst-ever performance in current local polls.

South Africa's ruling party ANC's disappointing show at local polls

South&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;entered new political territory on Thursday with the ruling African National Congress on the verge of losing its dominance and suffering its worst electoral setback in history.

With 99 percent of the results from Monday's municipal elections published by the electoral commission, the ANC had taken 45.64 percent of the total votes cast nationally.

It is the first time the party of Nelson Mandela has received less than half of ballots cast in any election in the continent's most industrialised nation.

But party officials &nbsp;put on a brave face.&nbsp;

"The worst could have happened," ANC elections chief Fikile Mbalula told reporters. "We fought very hard to get to this point".

He was adamant "we are not politically obliterated, we are not annihilated, that could have happened".

The immediate impact of Monday's voting is local, as parties set about horse-trading to build coalitions in towns and cities. Looking ahead to general elections in 2024, the results portend badly for the ANC.

The local polls also set the stage for the country's evolution into a richer multi-party democracy, moving past the dream of a "rainbow nation" and into the reality of balancing myriad competing interests.

"For some time, we've been trying to implement democracy in&nbsp;South&nbsp;Africa, but we have not really succeeded up to now to have a truly competitive multi-party democracy," said Sandile Swana, an independent political analyst.

Missing voters

Major cities such as Johannesburg and Pretoria have had coalition governments since the last local polls five years ago. The trend continues.

Nationally, the ANC lost a majority in even more regions, including in eThekwini metro in former president Jacob Zuma's stronghold province&nbsp;of KwaZulu-Natal province.

Only two out of three potential voters registered. Of those, less than half actually cast ballots.

For the first time, the ANC was in trouble and they couldn't hide the fact that they were scared.

It's hard to remember now, but in the first democratic elections in 1994, the ANC's dominance was far from assured.

But after Mandela ascended to the presidency, the party expanded its electoral success over the next decade until it controlled almost all major cities, and held a super-majority in parliament.

However, over the last 15 years, the ANC's popularity has declined sharply.

Now dipping below the 50 percent mark for the first time, the ANC no longer appears invulnerable.

"It's a&nbsp;psychological barrier, and now it's same for national election," said William Gumede of the Democracy Works think tank.

After 27 years in power, the ANC has no one to blame for&nbsp;South&nbsp;Africa's woes. Unemployment, always stubbornly high, has hit a record 34.4 percent.

Mismanagement and corruption have left the country unable to guarantee a steady electricity supply. Water cuts and sewage leaks are common.

South Africa entered new political territory on Thursday with the ruling African National Congress on the verge of losing its dominance and suffering its worst electoral setback in history.

South Africa entered new political territory on Thursday with the ruling African National Congress on the verge of losing its dominance and suffering its worst electoral setback in history. With 99 percent of the results from Monday's municipal elections published by the electoral commission, the ANC had taken 45.64 percent of the total votes cast nationally. It is the first time the party of Nelson Mandela has received less than half of ballots cast in any election in the continent's most industrialised nation. But party officials put on a brave face. "The worst could have happened," ANC elections chief Fikile Mbalula told reporters. "We fought very hard to get to this point". He was adamant "we are not politically obliterated, we are not annihilated, that could have happened". The immediate impact of Monday's voting is local, as parties set about horse-trading to build coalitions in towns and cities. Looking ahead to general elections in 2024, the results portend badly for the ANC. The local polls also set the stage for the country's evolution into a richer multi-party democracy, moving past the dream of a "rainbow nation" and into the reality of balancing myriad competing interests. "For some time, we've been trying to implement democracy in South Africa, but we have not really succeeded up to now to have a truly competitive multi-party democracy," said Sandile Swana, an independent political analyst. Missing voters Major cities such as Johannesburg and Pretoria have had coalition governments since the last local polls five years ago. The trend continues. Nationally, the ANC lost a majority in even more regions, including in eThekwini metro in former president Jacob Zuma's stronghold province of KwaZulu-Natal province. Only two out of three potential voters registered. Of those, less than half actually cast ballots. For the first time, the ANC was in trouble and they couldn't hide the fact that they were scared. It's hard to remember now, but in the first democratic elections in 1994, the ANC's dominance was far from assured. But after Mandela ascended to the presidency, the party expanded its electoral success over the next decade until it controlled almost all major cities, and held a super-majority in parliament. However, over the last 15 years, the ANC's popularity has declined sharply. Now dipping below the 50 percent mark for the first time, the ANC no longer appears invulnerable. "It's a psychological barrier, and now it's same for national election," said William Gumede of the Democracy Works think tank. After 27 years in power, the ANC has no one to blame for South Africa's woes. Unemployment, always stubbornly high, has hit a record 34.4 percent. Mismanagement and corruption have left the country unable to guarantee a steady electricity supply. Water cuts and sewage leaks are common.

South Africa's ANC on cusp of historic losses

South Africa's ANC has registered its worst-ever performance in the current municipal elections held in the country. This is the party's worst performance ever since assuming power.

ANC's popularity dwindles in South Africa, party registers its worst-ever performance

South Africa’s ruling ANC party looked set to deliver its worst ever electoral performance since the end of apartheid. The party's support is expected to dip below 50%in local government polls, the counting is underway.

South Africa municipal elections: ANC set for worst-ever performance, counting underway

African National Congress National Executive Committee has concluded that the suspended secretary feneral of the party, Ace Magashule, must publicly apologise for his 'letter of suspension' to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. &nbsp;

In his closing address following the weekend’s NEC meeting, Ramaphosa said the body discussed the ‘letter of suspension’ written by the secretary general to the president, for which the secretary general had no authority or mandate from any structure of the movement.&nbsp;

“The NEC agreed that such conduct was completely unacceptable and a flagrant violation of the rules, norms and values of the ANC. The NEC, furthermore, instructed the officials to advise the Secretary General to apologise publicly to ANC structures and members within a set timeframe,” Ramaphosa said.&nbsp;

“If he fails to do so, the ANC will institute disciplinary procedures in accordance with the ANC Constitution,” he added. &nbsp;

Ramaphosa said the NEC confirmed that in the light of the temporary suspension of the secretary general, Deputy Secretary General Jessie Duarte will, in accordance with the ANC Constitution, “carry out the functions entrusted to the SG by the National Conference, the National General Council, the NEC or the NWC…”&nbsp;

Ramaphosa said NEC has also condemned the unwarranted attacks on the Deputy Secretary General and ANC staff members at Luthuli House for carrying out decisions of the NEC, NWC and Officials.&nbsp;

“These attacks have taken the form of threats, insults, unfounded allegations and misinformation,” he said. &nbsp;

The NEC reaffirms its full confidence in the Deputy Secretary General, and supports her in carrying out her duties as per the ANC Constitution, Ramaphosa added. &nbsp;

NEC also expressed concern about a concerted and well-resourced campaign to sow division and confusion in the ANC, with the ultimate aim to destroy the movement as an instrument for progressive transformation and change, the Party President said. &nbsp;

“It (NEC) noted that this campaign is actively aided by a few individuals from within the NEC, through leaks, deviant public pronouncements, protests and misinformation on social media,” he said. &nbsp;

The ANC NEC agreed to take urgent steps to investigate the leaks from the NEC and any organised campaign to subvert the movement and to take appropriate action. &nbsp;

African National Congress National Executive Committee has concluded that the suspended secretary feneral of the party, Ace Magashule, must publicly apologise for his 'letter of suspension' to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

African National Congress National Executive Committee has concluded that the suspended secretary feneral of the party, Ace Magashule, must publicly apologise for his 'letter of suspension' to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. In his closing address following the weekend’s NEC meeting, Ramaphosa said the body discussed the ‘letter of suspension’ written by the secretary general to the president, for which the secretary general had no authority or mandate from any structure of the movement. “The NEC agreed that such conduct was completely unacceptable and a flagrant violation of the rules, norms and values of the ANC. The NEC, furthermore, instructed the officials to advise the Secretary General to apologise publicly to ANC structures and members within a set timeframe,” Ramaphosa said. “If he fails to do so, the ANC will institute disciplinary procedures in accordance with the ANC Constitution,” he added. Ramaphosa said the NEC confirmed that in the light of the temporary suspension of the secretary general, Deputy Secretary General Jessie Duarte will, in accordance with the ANC Constitution, “carry out the functions entrusted to the SG by the National Conference, the National General Council, the NEC or the NWC…” Ramaphosa said NEC has also condemned the unwarranted attacks on the Deputy Secretary General and ANC staff members at Luthuli House for carrying out decisions of the NEC, NWC and Officials. “These attacks have taken the form of threats, insults, unfounded allegations and misinformation,” he said. The NEC reaffirms its full confidence in the Deputy Secretary General, and supports her in carrying out her duties as per the ANC Constitution, Ramaphosa added. NEC also expressed concern about a concerted and well-resourced campaign to sow division and confusion in the ANC, with the ultimate aim to destroy the movement as an instrument for progressive transformation and change, the Party President said. “It (NEC) noted that this campaign is actively aided by a few individuals from within the NEC, through leaks, deviant public pronouncements, protests and misinformation on social media,” he said. The ANC NEC agreed to take urgent steps to investigate the leaks from the NEC and any organised campaign to subvert the movement and to take appropriate action.

African National Congress executive body tells Magashule to apologise for 'suspension' of President Ramaphosa 

Suspended Secretary General of the African National Congress&nbsp;Ace Magashule is appealing the move and in turn said he is&nbsp;suspending President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is also president of the ruling party.&nbsp;

Magashule is facing corruption, fraud&nbsp;and money laundering charges related to a Free State asbestos tender.

"I, herewith announce that I am immediately, and formally, appealing this unconstitutional suspension, in terms of the ANC Constitution, my suspension is thus wholly suspended, until my appeal has been heard, and its final outcome announced," he said in a letter.&nbsp;

ALso read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africans-ask-government-to-ban-flights-carrying-passengers-from-india-382776" hreflang="en">South Africans ask government to ban flights carrying passengers from India</a>

"I have also, in accordance with the power vested in me as the Secretary General of the ANC, and furthermore in full compliance with the relevant conference resolutions summarily suspend the President of the ANC, comrade Cyril Ramaphosa," Magashule added.&nbsp;

Embattled Magashule was served with a letter on Wednesday following a national working committee (NWC) meeting on Monday.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africa-table-mountain-wildfire-threatens-university-of-cape-town-378547" hreflang="en">South Africa: Table Mountain wildfire threatens University of Cape Town</a>

An obstinate Magashule, who issued his statement in his capacity as the Secretary General of the ANC said deputy secretary general Jessie Duarte had no authority to issue him with a suspension letter.

"It is evident that the Deputy Secretary General does not have the authority to issue such letters. This letter is fatally flawed, and in fact unconstitutional. Furthermore, these letters are based on a selective and factional interpretation of the relevant resolution," Magashule said.&nbsp;

He also urged other party members who received similar letters to also follow the appropriate internal appeal processes.&nbsp;

ANC issued a statement Immediately saying the party has noted the letter written by the Secretary General Comrade Ace Magashule to the President of the ANC Comrade Cyril Ramaphosa&nbsp;

"The decisions of the National Executive Committee and National Working Committee stand. The NEC will be meeting over the weekend and will accordingly respond to the Secretary General," Pule Mabe, ANC Spokesperson said.&nbsp;

"The ANC request that the Secretary General respect the decisions of the NEC and subject himself to the discipline of the organisation," he added.&nbsp;

Suspended Secretary General of the African National Congress Ace Magashule is appealing the move and in turn said he is suspending President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is also president of the ruling party.

Suspended Secretary General of the African National Congress Ace Magashule is appealing the move and in turn said he is suspending President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is also president of the ruling party. Magashule is facing corruption, fraud and money laundering charges related to a Free State asbestos tender. "I, herewith announce that I am immediately, and formally, appealing this unconstitutional suspension, in terms of the ANC Constitution, my suspension is thus wholly suspended, until my appeal has been heard, and its final outcome announced," he said in a letter. ALso read | South Africans ask government to ban flights carrying passengers from India "I have also, in accordance with the power vested in me as the Secretary General of the ANC, and furthermore in full compliance with the relevant conference resolutions summarily suspend the President of the ANC, comrade Cyril Ramaphosa," Magashule added. Embattled Magashule was served with a letter on Wednesday following a national working committee (NWC) meeting on Monday. Also read | South Africa: Table Mountain wildfire threatens University of Cape Town An obstinate Magashule, who issued his statement in his capacity as the Secretary General of the ANC said deputy secretary general Jessie Duarte had no authority to issue him with a suspension letter. "It is evident that the Deputy Secretary General does not have the authority to issue such letters. This letter is fatally flawed, and in fact unconstitutional. Furthermore, these letters are based on a selective and factional interpretation of the relevant resolution," Magashule said. He also urged other party members who received similar letters to also follow the appropriate internal appeal processes. ANC issued a statement Immediately saying the party has noted the letter written by the Secretary General Comrade Ace Magashule to the President of the ANC Comrade Cyril Ramaphosa "The decisions of the National Executive Committee and National Working Committee stand. The NEC will be meeting over the weekend and will accordingly respond to the Secretary General," Pule Mabe, ANC Spokesperson said. "The ANC request that the Secretary General respect the decisions of the NEC and subject himself to the discipline of the organisation," he added.

South Africa: Suspended ANC secretar general Ace Magashule 'suspends' President Ramaphosa

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; S.Africa minister reprimanded for ANC trip on airforce jet 
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
South Africa's defence minister has been reprimanded and will lose three months of salary after ruling party officials took an air force plane to Zimbabwe earlier this month, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Sunday.

The African National Congress (ANC) delegation's presence aboard the flight sparked widespread criticism over the use of state resources for party business.

Their trip to Harare was for crisis talks with Zimbabwe's Zanu-PF ruling party aimed at helping tackle the country's political and economic woes.

But they tagged along aboard Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula's plane, rather than travelling privately.

She had a scheduled meeting in Zimbabwe to discuss regional issues following a recent summit of the Southern African Development Community bloc.

Mapisa-Nqakula will not receive her salary for three months from November 1, and the money will instead go to a fund to support the country's response to the coronavirus pandemic, Ramaphosa said in a statement.

The defence minister did not act "in the best interest of good governance", the statement said, adding that the incident showed "an error of judgement".

The president, who had himself dispatched the ANC delegation, also said he expected the party to reimburse the government for use of the airforce jet.

South Africa's main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), immediately called for the minister's resignation, saying the presidential reprimand was "a mere slap on the wrist" and showed that Ramaphosa does not hold his government to account.

"The DA views these transgressions as a gross violation of (Mapisa-Nqakula's) oath of office, a dereliction of duty and a complete disregard for ethical standards. Minister Mapisa-Nqakula must therefore be fired immediately," the party said in a statement.

The opposition also accused the ANC delegates of breaching lockdown regulations, as South Africa's borders are shut to control the spread of coronavirus.

S.Africa minister reprimanded for ANC trip on airforce jet South Africa's defence minister has been reprimanded and will lose three months of salary after ruling party officials took an air force plane to Zimbabwe earlier this month, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Sunday.

S.Africa minister reprimanded for ANC trip on airforce jet South Africa's defence minister has been reprimanded and will lose three months of salary after ruling party officials took an air force plane to Zimbabwe earlier this month, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Sunday. The African National Congress (ANC) delegation's presence aboard the flight sparked widespread criticism over the use of state resources for party business. Their trip to Harare was for crisis talks with Zimbabwe's Zanu-PF ruling party aimed at helping tackle the country's political and economic woes. But they tagged along aboard Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula's plane, rather than travelling privately. She had a scheduled meeting in Zimbabwe to discuss regional issues following a recent summit of the Southern African Development Community bloc. Mapisa-Nqakula will not receive her salary for three months from November 1, and the money will instead go to a fund to support the country's response to the coronavirus pandemic, Ramaphosa said in a statement. The defence minister did not act "in the best interest of good governance", the statement said, adding that the incident showed "an error of judgement". The president, who had himself dispatched the ANC delegation, also said he expected the party to reimburse the government for use of the airforce jet. South Africa's main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), immediately called for the minister's resignation, saying the presidential reprimand was "a mere slap on the wrist" and showed that Ramaphosa does not hold his government to account. "The DA views these transgressions as a gross violation of (Mapisa-Nqakula's) oath of office, a dereliction of duty and a complete disregard for ethical standards. Minister Mapisa-Nqakula must therefore be fired immediately," the party said in a statement. The opposition also accused the ANC delegates of breaching lockdown regulations, as South Africa's borders are shut to control the spread of coronavirus.

South Africa minister reprimanded for ANC trip on airforce jet

Thousands of supporters of South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) took to the streets of downtown Johannesburg on Sunday to celebrate victory in last week's election despite a lower share of the vote.

The ANC won 57.5% of the parliamentary vote and retained power in eight of nine provinces in President Cyril Ramaphosa's first poll test since taking power in February 2018.

The result was the ANC's worst performance in a parliamentary vote since the end of white minority rule in 1994 when it swept to power under Nelson Mandela.

But it was at least an improvement on its vote share in local government elections in 2016.

To supporters of Ramaphosa, the victory was an endorsement of his anti-graft agenda after replacing Jacob Zuma.

"Ramaphosa has done the right thing by targeting corruption. It helped us win the election," said Tlaleng Radebe, 45, an ANC member from Soweto township on the outskirts of Johannesburg.

Another ANC member, Themba Shabalala, 39, said he wanted to see Ramaphosa, a union leader turned business tycoon, rid the country of the "scourge of unemployment."

Around 27 per cent of South Africans do not have jobs, according to one definition of unemployment.

Ramaphosa promises growth

Radebe and Shabalala were part of a crowd of several thousand wearing the ANC colours of black, green and gold outside the party's headquarters, Luthuli House.

Music blared from speakers and people waved party flags before Ramaphosa and other officials addressed them.

"This election was a most decisive election for us. We have learned our lessons, we have heard the people of South Africa," Ramaphosa, 66, told the crowd to cheers.

"We are going to make sure we inject growth into our economy, we are going to invite investors to come and invest, we are going to make sure we give the young people of our country great opportunities," he added.

Ramaphosa's first full term as president should start later this month after his nomination by ANC lawmakers in the new parliament.

He replaced Zuma as ANC leader in December 2017, after a decade in which the party's image was tarnished by corruption scandals and weak economic growth. He became head of state after persuading senior ANC officials to instruct Zuma to resign before Zuma's presidential term was due to end.

Some analysts think last week's election result will leave Ramaphosa short of ammunition to battle party rivals who oppose his reforms to tackle corruption and galvanise the economy.

Others say he did well to win a narrow majority in Gauteng province, the country's economic hub where Johannesburg is located and where the ANC was under pressure.

"Gauteng was our biggest challenge," Ramaphosa said. "It does not matter how you get there, as long as you get there."

Acknowledging that turnout at the election was lower than previous votes at around 65 per cent, he urged more people to cast ballots next time.

The ANC achieved its best parliamentary election result in 2004 under former president Thabo Mbeki, when it won more than 69% of the vote.

Thousands of supporters of South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) took to the streets of downtown Johannesburg on Sunday to celebrate victory in last week's election despite a lower share of the vote.

Thousands of supporters of South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) took to the streets of downtown Johannesburg on Sunday to celebrate victory in last week's election despite a lower share of the vote. The ANC won 57.5% of the parliamentary vote and retained power in eight of nine provinces in President Cyril Ramaphosa's first poll test since taking power in February 2018. The result was the ANC's worst performance in a parliamentary vote since the end of white minority rule in 1994 when it swept to power under Nelson Mandela. But it was at least an improvement on its vote share in local government elections in 2016. To supporters of Ramaphosa, the victory was an endorsement of his anti-graft agenda after replacing Jacob Zuma. "Ramaphosa has done the right thing by targeting corruption. It helped us win the election," said Tlaleng Radebe, 45, an ANC member from Soweto township on the outskirts of Johannesburg. Another ANC member, Themba Shabalala, 39, said he wanted to see Ramaphosa, a union leader turned business tycoon, rid the country of the "scourge of unemployment." Around 27 per cent of South Africans do not have jobs, according to one definition of unemployment. Ramaphosa promises growth Radebe and Shabalala were part of a crowd of several thousand wearing the ANC colours of black, green and gold outside the party's headquarters, Luthuli House. Music blared from speakers and people waved party flags before Ramaphosa and other officials addressed them. "This election was a most decisive election for us. We have learned our lessons, we have heard the people of South Africa," Ramaphosa, 66, told the crowd to cheers. "We are going to make sure we inject growth into our economy, we are going to invite investors to come and invest, we are going to make sure we give the young people of our country great opportunities," he added. Ramaphosa's first full term as president should start later this month after his nomination by ANC lawmakers in the new parliament. He replaced Zuma as ANC leader in December 2017, after a decade in which the party's image was tarnished by corruption scandals and weak economic growth. He became head of state after persuading senior ANC officials to instruct Zuma to resign before Zuma's presidential term was due to end. Some analysts think last week's election result will leave Ramaphosa short of ammunition to battle party rivals who oppose his reforms to tackle corruption and galvanise the economy. Others say he did well to win a narrow majority in Gauteng province, the country's economic hub where Johannesburg is located and where the ANC was under pressure. "Gauteng was our biggest challenge," Ramaphosa said. "It does not matter how you get there, as long as you get there." Acknowledging that turnout at the election was lower than previous votes at around 65 per cent, he urged more people to cast ballots next time. The ANC achieved its best parliamentary election result in 2004 under former president Thabo Mbeki, when it won more than 69% of the vote.

South Africa's ANC celebrates election win with street party

South Africa's ruling party is tipped to win, but with a reduced majority in this year's parliamentary elections. Watch the full video to know more.

ANC is all set to win the South Africa Parliamentary elections

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cyril-ramaphosas-anc-win-closely-watched-south-africa-poll-with-absolute-majority-217627">Cyril Ramaphosa's ANC win closely-watched South Africa poll with absolute majority</a>

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's ruling ANC won re-election on Friday with an absolute majority in parliament, results showed, but with diminished support, complicating economic revival and anti-corruption efforts.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-to-hold-more-trade-talks-with-us-in-beijing-217628">China says to hold more trade talks with US in Beijing</a>

China's top trade negotiator Liu He said on Friday in Washington that trade talks with the US would continue in Beijing but warned that there would be no concessions on "important principles".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/americas/north-koreas-missile-tests-not-breach-of-trust-us-president-donald-trump-217629">North Korea's missile tests not 'breach of trust': US President Donald Trump</a>

US President Donald Trump said Friday that North Korea's recent missile tests were not a "breach of trust."

"They're short-range and I don't consider that a breach of trust at all. And, you know, at some point I may. But at this point no," he said in an interview with Politico.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-to-cooperate-closely-on-afghanistans-peace-efforts-217633">India, China to cooperate closely on Afghanistan's peace efforts</a>

India and China on Friday agreed to work closely on the ongoing efforts to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The commitment came after Chinese Special Envoy Ambassador Deng Xijun was on a visit to New Delhi, where he met Indian officials to discuss Afghanistan's current situation.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sam-pitroda-was-out-of-line-he-should-apologise-rahul-gandhi-on-remark-on-1984-anti-sikh-riots-217630">Sam Pitroda was out of line, he should apologise: Rahul Gandhi on remark on 1984 anti-Sikh riots</a>

Congress president Rahul Gandhi asked Sam Pitroda to apologise for his "happened, so what" remarks on 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

"I think what Sam Pitroda Ji said is completely out of line and he should apologise for it. I think 1984 was a needless tragedy that caused tremendous pain," Rahul said in a Facebook post on Friday asserting that "justice has to be done" and the people responsible for 1984 tragedy have to be punished.

&nbsp;

Cyril Ramaphosa's ANC win closely-watched South Africa poll with absolute majority South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's ruling ANC won re-election on Friday with an absolute majority in parliament, results showed, but with diminished support, complicating economic revival and anti-corruption efforts.

Cyril Ramaphosa's ANC win closely-watched South Africa poll with absolute majority South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's ruling ANC won re-election on Friday with an absolute majority in parliament, results showed, but with diminished support, complicating economic revival and anti-corruption efforts. China says to hold more trade talks with US in Beijing China's top trade negotiator Liu He said on Friday in Washington that trade talks with the US would continue in Beijing but warned that there would be no concessions on "important principles". North Korea's missile tests not 'breach of trust': US President Donald Trump US President Donald Trump said Friday that North Korea's recent missile tests were not a "breach of trust." "They're short-range and I don't consider that a breach of trust at all. And, you know, at some point I may. But at this point no," he said in an interview with Politico. India, China to cooperate closely on Afghanistan's peace efforts India and China on Friday agreed to work closely on the ongoing efforts to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan. The commitment came after Chinese Special Envoy Ambassador Deng Xijun was on a visit to New Delhi, where he met Indian officials to discuss Afghanistan's current situation. Sam Pitroda was out of line, he should apologise: Rahul Gandhi on remark on 1984 anti-Sikh riots Congress president Rahul Gandhi asked Sam Pitroda to apologise for his "happened, so what" remarks on 1984 anti-Sikh riots. "I think what Sam Pitroda Ji said is completely out of line and he should apologise for it. I think 1984 was a needless tragedy that caused tremendous pain," Rahul said in a Facebook post on Friday asserting that "justice has to be done" and the people responsible for 1984 tragedy have to be punished.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The African National Congress (ANC) was headed toward victory in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africa-struggling-25-years-after-apartheid-216887">South Africa</a>`s election on Friday, partial results showed, though the party was on course for its worst performance in a national poll in its 25 years in government.&nbsp;

As of 0010 GMT, ballots in 72 per cent of 22,925 voting districts had been counted. The tallies put the ANC on 57 per cent in the parliamentary race, with the main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) on 22 per cent and the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on 10 per cent.

The former liberation party of Nelson Mandela has not won less than a 60 per cent share of the vote since it swept to power in South Africa`s first all-race election in 1994, marking the end of white minority rule.

Based on the latest results from the Electoral Commission, analysts predicted the ANC was set for a vote share of between 55 per cent and 59 per cent. A poor showing for the ANC would embolden opponents of President Cyril Ramaphosa and risk a potential challenge to his leadership, analysts have said. 
"The ANC will be elected with a record low of 27 per cent of the eligible population backing them, compared with 47 per cent in 1999. This kind of dynamic is not a mandate nor an impetus to change," said Peter Attard Montalto, head of capital markets research at Intellidex.&nbsp;

"WILLING TO FORGIVE"&nbsp;

In the first national test at the ballot box for Ramaphosa, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-party-leaders-battle-it-out-in-south-africa-election-216891">South Africans</a> voted on Wednesday for a new parliament and nine provincial legislatures. They had expressed frustration at rampant corruption, high unemployment and racial inequalities that remain deeply entrenched.

Ramaphosa is trying to arrest a slide in support for Africa`s oldest liberation movement, whose tenure in the last decade was punctuated by corruption scandals, a stagnant economy and high unemployment.

"People have shown they are willing to forgive the ANC," said Ronald Lamola, a member of the ANC`s top governing body. "We are looking at a clear mandate for our policies."&nbsp;

With promises to fight graft, improve public services and put people into jobs, Ramaphosa won an internal party leadership election in December 2017, narrowly defeating a faction allied with former head of state Jacob Zuma. Ramaphosa replaced the scandal-plagued Zuma as president of Africa`s most advanced economy three months later.

But his efforts have been constrained by divisions within his own party, where some Zuma supporters still retain influence and oppose his agenda.&nbsp;

The ANC achieved its best parliamentary election result in 2004 under former President Thabo Mbeki, when it won more than 69 per cent of the vote. But its support fell under Zuma, and it lost control of big cities like Johannesburg, the commercial capital, in local government elections in 2016.

Election officials said voting, in general, had progressed smoothly but that there had been isolated disruptions caused by bad weather, unscheduled power outages or community protests.

The African National Congress (ANC) was headed toward victory in South Africa`s election on Friday, partial results showed, though the party was on course for its worst performance in a national poll in its 25 years in government.

The African National Congress (ANC) was headed toward victory in South Africa`s election on Friday, partial results showed, though the party was on course for its worst performance in a national poll in its 25 years in government. As of 0010 GMT, ballots in 72 per cent of 22,925 voting districts had been counted. The tallies put the ANC on 57 per cent in the parliamentary race, with the main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) on 22 per cent and the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on 10 per cent. The former liberation party of Nelson Mandela has not won less than a 60 per cent share of the vote since it swept to power in South Africa`s first all-race election in 1994, marking the end of white minority rule. Based on the latest results from the Electoral Commission, analysts predicted the ANC was set for a vote share of between 55 per cent and 59 per cent. A poor showing for the ANC would embolden opponents of President Cyril Ramaphosa and risk a potential challenge to his leadership, analysts have said. "The ANC will be elected with a record low of 27 per cent of the eligible population backing them, compared with 47 per cent in 1999. This kind of dynamic is not a mandate nor an impetus to change," said Peter Attard Montalto, head of capital markets research at Intellidex. "WILLING TO FORGIVE" In the first national test at the ballot box for Ramaphosa, South Africans voted on Wednesday for a new parliament and nine provincial legislatures. They had expressed frustration at rampant corruption, high unemployment and racial inequalities that remain deeply entrenched. Ramaphosa is trying to arrest a slide in support for Africa`s oldest liberation movement, whose tenure in the last decade was punctuated by corruption scandals, a stagnant economy and high unemployment. "People have shown they are willing to forgive the ANC," said Ronald Lamola, a member of the ANC`s top governing body. "We are looking at a clear mandate for our policies." With promises to fight graft, improve public services and put people into jobs, Ramaphosa won an internal party leadership election in December 2017, narrowly defeating a faction allied with former head of state Jacob Zuma. Ramaphosa replaced the scandal-plagued Zuma as president of Africa`s most advanced economy three months later. But his efforts have been constrained by divisions within his own party, where some Zuma supporters still retain influence and oppose his agenda. The ANC achieved its best parliamentary election result in 2004 under former President Thabo Mbeki, when it won more than 69 per cent of the vote. But its support fell under Zuma, and it lost control of big cities like Johannesburg, the commercial capital, in local government elections in 2016. Election officials said voting, in general, had progressed smoothly but that there had been isolated disruptions caused by bad weather, unscheduled power outages or community protests.

ANC takes commanding lead in South Africa's election but support recedes

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday launched the ANC's campaign for legislative elections in May, acknowledging the party's past mistakes and promising to restore democratic institutions and economic growth.&nbsp;

Ramaphosa unveiled a 68-page manifesto before tens of thousands of supporters in the eastern city of Durban, marking the start of four months of hectic campaigning.

The African National Congress (ANC), which has ruled since the end of apartheid 25 years ago, is tipped to win the election in May despite faltering support, internal divisions and a sluggish economy.

The party of Nelson Mandela suffered a slump in popularity under the scandal-ridden presidency of Jacob Zuma, who was ousted last February after nine years at the helm.

But a recent IPSOS survey predicted the ANC could garner as much as 61 per cent in the national and provincial elections.

At the legislative level, that would put it on a par with its performance in 2014, when it picked up 62 per cent. In South Africa's parliament, the party which holds a majority of seats also selects the president.

The forecast upswing is pinned on the appointment of moderate pro-business reformer Ramaphosa as president after ANC lawmakers forced Zuma to resign as corruption scandals piled up.

Ramaphosa admitted the party has in recent times "fallen short" of expectations.

"We must acknowledge that mistakes have been made and that in some areas transformation has stalled," he said.&nbsp;

"After a period of doubt and uncertainty, we have arrived at a moment of hope and renewal.&nbsp;

"The 2019 elections provide an opportunity to restore our democratic institutions and to return our country to a path of transformation, growth and development."

He said at the centre of the party manifesto is a plan to create jobs and ensure decent wages.

He vowed to "intensify" the war against corruption.

Tens of thousands of party activists dressed mostly in yellow and green party colours converged at the 85,000-capacity soccer stadium in the coastal city of Durban for the campaign launch where they danced to music.

The stadium erupted into wild applause when ex-leader Zuma joined a group of dancers on stage. &nbsp;

In a noisy and colourful display, dozens of motorbike riders flying ANC flags, circled the pitch - revving up their bikes to chants and applause.&nbsp;

In a bruising internal party battle, Ramaphosa won a power struggle to succeed Zuma, whose favoured candidate was Zuma's former wife.

Senior party officials have this week fanned out across Kwa-Zulu Natal province - which has in recent years experienced a spate of killings of ANC officials - spreading the message of a revived and unified party.

Party revival?

Ramaphosa vowed work "more diligently" to get rid of factionalism and patronage, as he switched between the country's 11 languages, throughout his speech.&nbsp;

Launching its election manifesto in heavily-populated KwaZulu-Natal -- Zuma's home province and former stronghold -- is a strategic choice after last year's divisions.

Ramaphosa has publicly tried to mend ties, sitting next to Zuma and praising him at party events.

In policy terms, the manifesto is set to underline the ANC's commitment to land reform to tackle racial inequality -- setting the stage for one of the election's fiercest battlegrounds.

One of Ramaphosa's flagship pledges is to change the constitution to allow land to be taken from minority white owners without compensation -- a plan aimed at attracting landless black voters but that has alarmed many foreign investors.

"In this manifesto, we outline .... a plan to accelerate land reform..., including, where appropriate, expropriation without compensation," said Ramaphosa.

The South African economy is forecast to have grown just 0.7 per cent last year, with unemployment remaining at record highs of over 27 per cent.

The ANC will face the main opposition Democratic Alliance and the radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters party in the election.

Both parties hope to make gains due to the ANC's poor recent record and discontent over stark post-apartheid inequality.

But they have struggled to dent the ruling party since Zuma's fall.

Ramaphosa is eyeing "a decisive victory" in the elections.

Unemployed mother of six, Marriam Xobololo, 53, from the rural area of eNgcobo in the Eastern Cape province has voted for the ANC since 1994.

"When you join the ANC, it’s like when you accept Christ in your heart. The ANC is just like Christ in my heart," she said. "I will forever vote for ANC, and I will die and perish voting for the ANC."

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday launched the ANC's campaign for legislative elections in May, acknowledging the party's past mistakes and promising to restore democratic institutions and economic growth.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday launched the ANC's campaign for legislative elections in May, acknowledging the party's past mistakes and promising to restore democratic institutions and economic growth. Ramaphosa unveiled a 68-page manifesto before tens of thousands of supporters in the eastern city of Durban, marking the start of four months of hectic campaigning. The African National Congress (ANC), which has ruled since the end of apartheid 25 years ago, is tipped to win the election in May despite faltering support, internal divisions and a sluggish economy. The party of Nelson Mandela suffered a slump in popularity under the scandal-ridden presidency of Jacob Zuma, who was ousted last February after nine years at the helm. But a recent IPSOS survey predicted the ANC could garner as much as 61 per cent in the national and provincial elections. At the legislative level, that would put it on a par with its performance in 2014, when it picked up 62 per cent. In South Africa's parliament, the party which holds a majority of seats also selects the president. The forecast upswing is pinned on the appointment of moderate pro-business reformer Ramaphosa as president after ANC lawmakers forced Zuma to resign as corruption scandals piled up. Ramaphosa admitted the party has in recent times "fallen short" of expectations. "We must acknowledge that mistakes have been made and that in some areas transformation has stalled," he said. "After a period of doubt and uncertainty, we have arrived at a moment of hope and renewal. "The 2019 elections provide an opportunity to restore our democratic institutions and to return our country to a path of transformation, growth and development." He said at the centre of the party manifesto is a plan to create jobs and ensure decent wages. He vowed to "intensify" the war against corruption. Tens of thousands of party activists dressed mostly in yellow and green party colours converged at the 85,000-capacity soccer stadium in the coastal city of Durban for the campaign launch where they danced to music. The stadium erupted into wild applause when ex-leader Zuma joined a group of dancers on stage. In a noisy and colourful display, dozens of motorbike riders flying ANC flags, circled the pitch - revving up their bikes to chants and applause. In a bruising internal party battle, Ramaphosa won a power struggle to succeed Zuma, whose favoured candidate was Zuma's former wife. Senior party officials have this week fanned out across Kwa-Zulu Natal province - which has in recent years experienced a spate of killings of ANC officials - spreading the message of a revived and unified party. Party revival? Ramaphosa vowed work "more diligently" to get rid of factionalism and patronage, as he switched between the country's 11 languages, throughout his speech. Launching its election manifesto in heavily-populated KwaZulu-Natal -- Zuma's home province and former stronghold -- is a strategic choice after last year's divisions. Ramaphosa has publicly tried to mend ties, sitting next to Zuma and praising him at party events. In policy terms, the manifesto is set to underline the ANC's commitment to land reform to tackle racial inequality -- setting the stage for one of the election's fiercest battlegrounds. One of Ramaphosa's flagship pledges is to change the constitution to allow land to be taken from minority white owners without compensation -- a plan aimed at attracting landless black voters but that has alarmed many foreign investors. "In this manifesto, we outline .... a plan to accelerate land reform..., including, where appropriate, expropriation without compensation," said Ramaphosa. The South African economy is forecast to have grown just 0.7 per cent last year, with unemployment remaining at record highs of over 27 per cent. The ANC will face the main opposition Democratic Alliance and the radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters party in the election. Both parties hope to make gains due to the ANC's poor recent record and discontent over stark post-apartheid inequality. But they have struggled to dent the ruling party since Zuma's fall. Ramaphosa is eyeing "a decisive victory" in the elections. Unemployed mother of six, Marriam Xobololo, 53, from the rural area of eNgcobo in the Eastern Cape province has voted for the ANC since 1994. "When you join the ANC, it’s like when you accept Christ in your heart. The ANC is just like Christ in my heart," she said. "I will forever vote for ANC, and I will die and perish voting for the ANC."

Ruling ANC kicks off South Africa election campaign with vow to restore democracy

By James Hamill*

The latest instalment in South Africa&rsquo;s longest running political soap opera played out dramatically on 16 March when Shaun Abrahams, the head of South Africa&rsquo;s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), announced that 16 criminal charges against former president Jacob Zuma must stand and be tested in court.

The charges relate to 783 counts of corruption, fraud, money laundering and racketeering. The charges were controversially dropped in 2009 but reinstated by the country&rsquo;s High Court in 2016. The Supreme Court of Appeal went on to uphold this judgment in 2017.

This is merely one instalment in a drama that may still have some years to run. It can be traced back to the sleaze and kickbacks surrounding the arms procurement package of the late 1990s. The allegations were that Zuma was a beneficiary of largesse from certain arms companies in exchange for exerting his influence on their behalf.

The Abrahams decision &ndash; made despite opposition fears that, as a Zuma appointee, he might flinch from the challenge - is of enormous significance. A former president is now likely to find himself in the dock at a criminal trial, an unprecedented event in South African history. 
A different political atmosphere

Looking beyond the groundbreaking historical nature of the decision and its implications for Zuma personally, it seems unlikely that Abrahams&rsquo; decision will generate the same passions as the issue did in the 2007-2009 period. At that point Zuma&rsquo;s standing in the ANC alliance was at an all time high and attempts to prosecute him for corruption were viewed as part of a wider &lsquo;dirty tricks&rsquo; campaign to sabotage his rise to the presidencies of both party and state. This included the Thabo Mbeki camp inside the ANC and others outside the party.

His 2006 rape trial had been viewed in similar terms by his staunchest backers such as then ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema, who subsequently, and rather shamelessly, would reinvent himself as Zuma&rsquo;s chief critic.

Pro-Zuma sentiment was particularly strong on the left of the ANC-led alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and the South African Communist Party uncritically and unconditionally buying into the mythology around Zuma . They viewed his presidency as an opportunity to engineer a leftwards shift in South Africa&rsquo;s general political direction after the supposed &lsquo;neo-liberalism&rsquo; of the Mbeki years.

Now, in 2018, the left is older and wiser. In the aftermath of a scandal ridden presidency disfigured by endemic corruption and allegations of state capture by private interests close to Zuma, the trade union federation and the Communist Party are more likely to support his prosecution than contest it.

Equally, the broader politics of the issue are now less highly charged. In 2009, Zuma was the president-in-waiting. There was limited enthusiasm, even among his many critics in the movement, to see a South African president inaugurated who faced the realistic prospect of a criminal trial in the foreseeable future. It was felt this would provide a fatal distraction from the responsibilities of government.

As it turned out, he was fatally distracted from those responsibilities anyway by a succession of new scandals which arrived with alarming frequency to paralyse his presidency. These included Nkandla (2013/2014), Nenegate (December 2015), the sacking of Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan (March 2017), and the various state capture reports of 2016/17.

While prosecutors technically make their decisions on narrow legal grounds, one should not assume they are entirely insulated from broader political and societal pressures in their decision making. Now, however, Zuma is merely a former president and an ANC member. Consequently, the protective shield previously extended by the governing party will not be there. And, given the other scandals mentioned above and with a new leader in place, he may only be able to draw on very modest support from within the ANC&rsquo;s ranks. 
The double-edged sword

Zuma&rsquo;s proposed prosecution is a welcome reaffirmation of the principle that all are equal before the law. But a trial carries with it very real dangers for the ANC.

First, it will serve to remind a wider South African audience that Zuma did not emerge in a vacuum. He is a product of the ANC. The party elected him twice as its president and, before recalling him in February 2017, rallied round him during the Nkandla saga and in numerous parliamentary votes of no-confidence. Its own National Executive Committee also rejected demands for his recall on several occasions. It will be difficult if not impossible for the ANC to avoid some collateral damage as it was unquestionably the chief facilitator and enabler of that discredited era.

Second, there is always the risk that a trial will see the movement&rsquo;s dirty laundry being aired in public by Zuma. This will be particularly true if he believes his fate is sealed, taking the opportunity for a wider settling of scores with others in the ANC. The trial could then become an endurance test for the ANC and a propaganda windfall for its opponents reminding South Africans in graphic detail of the looting and embezzlement over which the movement has presided.

Ramaphosa will hope that Zuma&rsquo;s lawyers revisit their earlier so-called &lsquo;Stalingrad strategy&rsquo; of delays and prevarication so that when it finally commences it does so after &ndash; and not before &ndash; the 2019 election. On past evidence there are likely to be numerous attempts by his lawyers to actually prevent the case from ever coming to court.

For the trial to take place in the run up to, and during that election campaign, would be extremely unwelcome for the new leadership. It will blunt the Ramaphosa message that he is &lsquo;purifying&rsquo; the movement, restoring its traditional values, and seeking closure on a discredited era.

Moreover, even in the aftermath of an election, the issue will return to the top of Ramaphosa&rsquo;s agenda if Zuma is eventually found guilty. The question of granting or not granting him a pardon will then arise. This will test the credentials of a leader supposedly making a definitive break with a sordid past.

It is also possible that further charges could be brought against Zuma once the whole state capture phenomenon is laid bare by an official commission of inquiry headed by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. The state capture saga makes the existing charges against Zuma look insubstantial by comparison.

Zuma&rsquo;s presidency may be over, but his toxic legacy seems likely to haunt the ANC &ndash; and through it South Africa - for some considerable time yet.

*James Hamill is lecturer in Politics and International Relations, University of Leicester.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Zuma’s proposed prosecution is a welcome reaffirmation of the principle that all are equal before the law. But a trial carries with it very real dangers for the ANC.

By James Hamill* The latest instalment in South Africa’s longest running political soap opera played out dramatically on 16 March when Shaun Abrahams, the head of South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), announced that 16 criminal charges against former president Jacob Zuma must stand and be tested in court. The charges relate to 783 counts of corruption, fraud, money laundering and racketeering. The charges were controversially dropped in 2009 but reinstated by the country’s High Court in 2016. The Supreme Court of Appeal went on to uphold this judgment in 2017. This is merely one instalment in a drama that may still have some years to run. It can be traced back to the sleaze and kickbacks surrounding the arms procurement package of the late 1990s. The allegations were that Zuma was a beneficiary of largesse from certain arms companies in exchange for exerting his influence on their behalf. The Abrahams decision – made despite opposition fears that, as a Zuma appointee, he might flinch from the challenge - is of enormous significance. A former president is now likely to find himself in the dock at a criminal trial, an unprecedented event in South African history. A different political atmosphere Looking beyond the groundbreaking historical nature of the decision and its implications for Zuma personally, it seems unlikely that Abrahams’ decision will generate the same passions as the issue did in the 2007-2009 period. At that point Zuma’s standing in the ANC alliance was at an all time high and attempts to prosecute him for corruption were viewed as part of a wider ‘dirty tricks’ campaign to sabotage his rise to the presidencies of both party and state. This included the Thabo Mbeki camp inside the ANC and others outside the party. His 2006 rape trial had been viewed in similar terms by his staunchest backers such as then ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema, who subsequently, and rather shamelessly, would reinvent himself as Zuma’s chief critic. Pro-Zuma sentiment was particularly strong on the left of the ANC-led alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and the South African Communist Party uncritically and unconditionally buying into the mythology around Zuma . They viewed his presidency as an opportunity to engineer a leftwards shift in South Africa’s general political direction after the supposed ‘neo-liberalism’ of the Mbeki years. Now, in 2018, the left is older and wiser. In the aftermath of a scandal ridden presidency disfigured by endemic corruption and allegations of state capture by private interests close to Zuma, the trade union federation and the Communist Party are more likely to support his prosecution than contest it. Equally, the broader politics of the issue are now less highly charged. In 2009, Zuma was the president-in-waiting. There was limited enthusiasm, even among his many critics in the movement, to see a South African president inaugurated who faced the realistic prospect of a criminal trial in the foreseeable future. It was felt this would provide a fatal distraction from the responsibilities of government. As it turned out, he was fatally distracted from those responsibilities anyway by a succession of new scandals which arrived with alarming frequency to paralyse his presidency. These included Nkandla (2013/2014), Nenegate (December 2015), the sacking of Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan (March 2017), and the various state capture reports of 2016/17. While prosecutors technically make their decisions on narrow legal grounds, one should not assume they are entirely insulated from broader political and societal pressures in their decision making. Now, however, Zuma is merely a former president and an ANC member. Consequently, the protective shield previously extended by the governing party will not be there. And, given the other scandals mentioned above and with a new leader in place, he may only be able to draw on very modest support from within the ANC’s ranks. The double-edged sword Zuma’s proposed prosecution is a welcome reaffirmation of the principle that all are equal before the law. But a trial carries with it very real dangers for the ANC. First, it will serve to remind a wider South African audience that Zuma did not emerge in a vacuum. He is a product of the ANC. The party elected him twice as its president and, before recalling him in February 2017, rallied round him during the Nkandla saga and in numerous parliamentary votes of no-confidence. Its own National Executive Committee also rejected demands for his recall on several occasions. It will be difficult if not impossible for the ANC to avoid some collateral damage as it was unquestionably the chief facilitator and enabler of that discredited era. Second, there is always the risk that a trial will see the movement’s dirty laundry being aired in public by Zuma. This will be particularly true if he believes his fate is sealed, taking the opportunity for a wider settling of scores with others in the ANC. The trial could then become an endurance test for the ANC and a propaganda windfall for its opponents reminding South Africans in graphic detail of the looting and embezzlement over which the movement has presided. Ramaphosa will hope that Zuma’s lawyers revisit their earlier so-called ‘Stalingrad strategy’ of delays and prevarication so that when it finally commences it does so after – and not before – the 2019 election. On past evidence there are likely to be numerous attempts by his lawyers to actually prevent the case from ever coming to court. For the trial to take place in the run up to, and during that election campaign, would be extremely unwelcome for the new leadership. It will blunt the Ramaphosa message that he is ‘purifying’ the movement, restoring its traditional values, and seeking closure on a discredited era. Moreover, even in the aftermath of an election, the issue will return to the top of Ramaphosa’s agenda if Zuma is eventually found guilty. The question of granting or not granting him a pardon will then arise. This will test the credentials of a leader supposedly making a definitive break with a sordid past. It is also possible that further charges could be brought against Zuma once the whole state capture phenomenon is laid bare by an official commission of inquiry headed by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. The state capture saga makes the existing charges against Zuma look insubstantial by comparison. Zuma’s presidency may be over, but his toxic legacy seems likely to haunt the ANC – and through it South Africa - for some considerable time yet. *James Hamill is lecturer in Politics and International Relations, University of Leicester. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Zuma trial means that his toxic legacy will haunt South Africa for some time

South&nbsp;Africa&#39;s parliament will hold a vote of no-confidence in President Jacob Zuma on Thursday, the ruling ANC party said, signalling its determination to eject him from office after days of stalemate.

&quot;We have now asked the chief whip to proceed with the motion of no confidence tomorrow in parliament... so that President Zuma is then removed,&quot; ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile told reporters Wednesday.

He said parliament, where the ANC has a large majority, would then &quot;proceed to elect (Cyril) Ramaphosa as president of the republic&quot; -- perhaps as early as Thursday or Friday.

Zuma, who now faces as ignomious end to his nine scandal-plagued years in power, was expected to respond later on Wednesday to the ANC&#39;s order for him to resign.

&quot;For us, as the ANC leadership, we can no longer wait beyond today,&quot; Mashatile said.

Ramaphosa: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ramaphosa-trade-unionist-tycoon-and-s-africas-next-president-32771" target="_blank">Trade unionist, tycoon and South Africa&#39;s next president?</a>

&quot;If President Zuma at some point will respond, he will respond, but we can&#39;t continue waiting. The decision has been taken and must be implemented.&quot;

The power struggle over Zuma&#39;s departure has put him at loggerheads with deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, his expected successor, who is the new head of the ANC.

As the deadlock escalated, the party on Tuesday &quot;recalled&quot; Zuma from his post after days of failed closed-door negotiations with Ramaphosa.

The African National Congress (ANC) national executive committee reached its decision after meeting for 13 hours at a hotel outside Pretoria.

&quot;Recalling&quot; the head of state is a party-level instruction that the 75-year-old Zuma is under no constitutional obligation to obey.

Police raid 
Earlier Wednesday, police <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-african-police-raid-home-of-guptas-friends-of-president-zuma-32846" target="_blank">raided the Johannesburg home of the Gupta business family</a> accused of overseeing a web of corruption under Zuma&#39;s rule.

Police said three unidentified people had been arrested in investigations into &quot;Vrede Farm&quot; -- allegations that millions of dollars of public money meant for poor dairy farmers was siphoned off by the Guptas.

Local media reported that Zuma was pushing for an exit deal that included covering his potentially ruinous legal fees from prolonged court battles against multiple criminal charges.

One case relates to 783 payments he allegedly received linked to an arms deal before he came to power.

Many other graft allegations against him have centred on the three Gupta brothers, who are accused of unfairly obtaining lucrative government contracts and even being able to choose Zuma&#39;s ministerial appointments.

Zuma has admitted he is friends with the Guptas, originally from India, but has denied any wrongdoing.

Susan Booysen, a politics professor at Stellenbosch University, said that Zuma may resign before the vote -- albeit grudgingly.

&quot;I think that he is an angry person... and he is very reluctant to go,&quot; Booysen told AFP.

The political wrangle plunged South Africa -- the continent&#39;s most developed economy -- into confusion over who is running the country, with last week&#39;s annual State of the Nation address cancelled.

Opposition parties have called for early elections as the ANC&#39;s turbulent transfer of power grinds on.

Decline of Mandela&#39;s party 
Zuma&#39;s presidency has been marred by slow economic growth, continuing racial inequality and record unemployment that have fuelled public frustration.

He was scheduled to stand down next year after serving the maximum two terms since coming to power in 2009.

In 2008, Zuma&#39;s supporters pushed out then-president Thabo Mbeki via a similar &quot;recall&quot; manoeuvre over allegations of abuse of power.

In local polls in 2016, the ANC recorded its worst electoral result since coming to power in 1994 with Nelson Mandela at the helm as white-minority rule fell.

Ramaphosa, 65, the deputy president, must revive the economy and crack down on what he has admitted is rampant government corruption if he is to boost the party&#39;s tarnished reputation before a tricky election next year.

He is a former trade unionist and Mandela ally who led talks to end apartheid in the early 1990s and then became a multi-millionaire businessman before returning to politics.

Zuma&#39;s hold over the ANC was shaken in December when his chosen successor -- his former wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma -- narrowly lost to Ramaphosa in a vote for the new party leader.

The ANC has insisted there will be no delay to the budget speech, which is due on February 21.

'We have now asked the chief whip to proceed with the motion of no confidence tomorrow in parliament... so that President Zuma is then removed,' ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile said

South Africa's parliament will hold a vote of no-confidence in President Jacob Zuma on Thursday, the ruling ANC party said, signalling its determination to eject him from office after days of stalemate. "We have now asked the chief whip to proceed with the motion of no confidence tomorrow in parliament... so that President Zuma is then removed," ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile told reporters Wednesday. He said parliament, where the ANC has a large majority, would then "proceed to elect (Cyril) Ramaphosa as president of the republic" -- perhaps as early as Thursday or Friday. Zuma, who now faces as ignomious end to his nine scandal-plagued years in power, was expected to respond later on Wednesday to the ANC's order for him to resign. "For us, as the ANC leadership, we can no longer wait beyond today," Mashatile said. Ramaphosa: Trade unionist, tycoon and South Africa's next president? "If President Zuma at some point will respond, he will respond, but we can't continue waiting. The decision has been taken and must be implemented." The power struggle over Zuma's departure has put him at loggerheads with deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, his expected successor, who is the new head of the ANC. As the deadlock escalated, the party on Tuesday "recalled" Zuma from his post after days of failed closed-door negotiations with Ramaphosa. The African National Congress (ANC) national executive committee reached its decision after meeting for 13 hours at a hotel outside Pretoria. "Recalling" the head of state is a party-level instruction that the 75-year-old Zuma is under no constitutional obligation to obey. Police raid Earlier Wednesday, police raided the Johannesburg home of the Gupta business family accused of overseeing a web of corruption under Zuma's rule. Police said three unidentified people had been arrested in investigations into "Vrede Farm" -- allegations that millions of dollars of public money meant for poor dairy farmers was siphoned off by the Guptas. Local media reported that Zuma was pushing for an exit deal that included covering his potentially ruinous legal fees from prolonged court battles against multiple criminal charges. One case relates to 783 payments he allegedly received linked to an arms deal before he came to power. Many other graft allegations against him have centred on the three Gupta brothers, who are accused of unfairly obtaining lucrative government contracts and even being able to choose Zuma's ministerial appointments. Zuma has admitted he is friends with the Guptas, originally from India, but has denied any wrongdoing. Susan Booysen, a politics professor at Stellenbosch University, said that Zuma may resign before the vote -- albeit grudgingly. "I think that he is an angry person... and he is very reluctant to go," Booysen told AFP. The political wrangle plunged South Africa -- the continent's most developed economy -- into confusion over who is running the country, with last week's annual State of the Nation address cancelled. Opposition parties have called for early elections as the ANC's turbulent transfer of power grinds on. Decline of Mandela's party Zuma's presidency has been marred by slow economic growth, continuing racial inequality and record unemployment that have fuelled public frustration. He was scheduled to stand down next year after serving the maximum two terms since coming to power in 2009. In 2008, Zuma's supporters pushed out then-president Thabo Mbeki via a similar "recall" manoeuvre over allegations of abuse of power. In local polls in 2016, the ANC recorded its worst electoral result since coming to power in 1994 with Nelson Mandela at the helm as white-minority rule fell. Ramaphosa, 65, the deputy president, must revive the economy and crack down on what he has admitted is rampant government corruption if he is to boost the party's tarnished reputation before a tricky election next year. He is a former trade unionist and Mandela ally who led talks to end apartheid in the early 1990s and then became a multi-millionaire businessman before returning to politics. Zuma's hold over the ANC was shaken in December when his chosen successor -- his former wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma -- narrowly lost to Ramaphosa in a vote for the new party leader. The ANC has insisted there will be no delay to the budget speech, which is due on February 21.

South African MPs set to finally oust Zuma Thursday: ANC

The struggle for power in South Africa intensified Wednesday as President Jacob Zuma raged against a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-african-mps-set-to-finally-oust-zuma-thursday-anc-32863" target="_blank">resignation order</a> from his own party ahead of a vote in parliament set to throw him out of office.

Zuma, whose reputation has been stained by years-long allegations of graft, has been instructed to step down by the African National Congress (ANC) party.

But the order is a party-level order and Zuma -- a renowned political survivor -- is under no constitutional obligation to obey.

Unless he resigns beforehand, parliament will hold a vote of no-confidence in the president on Thursday, when the ANC says its lawmakers will finally oust him from power.

Zuma, who faces as ignomious end to his nine years in office, has been at loggerheads with deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, his expected successor and the new head of the ANC.

&quot;It was very unfair to me that this (resignation) issue is raised,&quot; Zuma said in an unannounced TV interview with state broadcaster SABC.

In a rambling 45-minute conversation, Zuma did not directly refuse to resign, but said that he disagreed with &quot;the manner in which the decision is being implemented.&quot;

He repeatedly said he was not defying the ANC leadership, but added that &quot;I don&#39;t agree, as there is no evidence of if I have done anything wrong.&quot;

He said he would make a further statement later Wednesday.

The ANC on Tuesday had &quot;recalled&quot; Zuma from his post after days of failed closed-door negotiations with Ramaphosa.

The party&#39;s national executive committee ordered the recall in a 13-hour meeting at a hotel outside Pretoria.

&#39;We can no longer wait&#39; 
ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile told reporters that parliament, where the party has a large majority, would vote out Zuma on Thursday and could elect Ramaphosa as president as early as Friday.

&quot;For us, as the ANC leadership, we can no longer wait,&quot; Mashatile said. &quot;The decision has been taken and must be implemented.&quot;

Earlier Wednesday, police raided the Johannesburg home of the Gupta business family, which is accused of overseeing a web of corruption under Zuma&#39;s rule.

Police said three unidentified people had been arrested in investigations into &quot;Vrede Farm&quot; -- allegations that millions of dollars of public money meant for poor dairy farmers were siphoned off by the Guptas.

Local media reported that Zuma had been pushing for an exit deal that included covering his potentially ruinous legal fees from prolonged court battles against multiple criminal charges.

One case relates to 783 payments he allegedly received linked to an arms deal before he came to power.

Many other graft allegations against him have centred on the three Gupta brothers, who are accused of unfairly obtaining lucrative government contracts and even being able to choose Zuma&#39;s ministerial appointments.

Zuma has admitted he is friends with the Guptas, originally from India, but has denied any wrongdoing.

Susan Booysen, a politics professor at Stellenbosch University, said that Zuma may still resign before a parliamentary vote -- albeit grudgingly.

&quot;I think that he is an angry person... and he is very reluctant to go,&quot; Booysen told AFP.

The political wrangle has plunged South Africa -- the continent&#39;s most developed economy -- into confusion over who is running the country, with last week&#39;s annual State of the Nation address cancelled.

Opposition parties have called for early elections as the ANC&#39;s turbulent transfer of power grinds on.

Decline of Mandela&#39;s party 
Zuma&#39;s presidency has been marred by slow economic growth, continuing racial inequality and record unemployment that have fuelled public frustration.

He was scheduled to stand down next year after serving the maximum two terms since coming to power in 2009.

In 2008, Zuma&#39;s supporters pushed out then-president Thabo Mbeki via a similar &quot;recall&quot; manoeuvre over allegations of abuse of power.

In local polls in 2016, the ANC recorded its worst electoral result since coming to power in 1994 with Nelson Mandela at the helm as white-minority rule fell.

Ramaphosa, 65, the deputy president, must revive the economy and crack down on what he has admitted is rampant government corruption if he is to boost the party&#39;s tarnished reputation before a tricky election next year.

He is a former trade unionist and Mandela ally who led talks to end apartheid in the early 1990s and then became a multi-millionaire businessman before returning to politics.

Zuma&#39;s hold over the ANC was shaken in December when his chosen successor -- his former wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma -- narrowly lost to Ramaphosa in a vote for the new party leader.

The ANC has insisted there will be no delay to the budget speech, which is due on February 21.

Zuma has been instructed to step down by the African National Congress (ANC) part

The struggle for power in South Africa intensified Wednesday as President Jacob Zuma raged against a resignation order from his own party ahead of a vote in parliament set to throw him out of office. Zuma, whose reputation has been stained by years-long allegations of graft, has been instructed to step down by the African National Congress (ANC) party. But the order is a party-level order and Zuma -- a renowned political survivor -- is under no constitutional obligation to obey. Unless he resigns beforehand, parliament will hold a vote of no-confidence in the president on Thursday, when the ANC says its lawmakers will finally oust him from power. Zuma, who faces as ignomious end to his nine years in office, has been at loggerheads with deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, his expected successor and the new head of the ANC. "It was very unfair to me that this (resignation) issue is raised," Zuma said in an unannounced TV interview with state broadcaster SABC. In a rambling 45-minute conversation, Zuma did not directly refuse to resign, but said that he disagreed with "the manner in which the decision is being implemented." He repeatedly said he was not defying the ANC leadership, but added that "I don't agree, as there is no evidence of if I have done anything wrong." He said he would make a further statement later Wednesday. The ANC on Tuesday had "recalled" Zuma from his post after days of failed closed-door negotiations with Ramaphosa. The party's national executive committee ordered the recall in a 13-hour meeting at a hotel outside Pretoria. 'We can no longer wait' ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile told reporters that parliament, where the party has a large majority, would vote out Zuma on Thursday and could elect Ramaphosa as president as early as Friday. "For us, as the ANC leadership, we can no longer wait," Mashatile said. "The decision has been taken and must be implemented." Earlier Wednesday, police raided the Johannesburg home of the Gupta business family, which is accused of overseeing a web of corruption under Zuma's rule. Police said three unidentified people had been arrested in investigations into "Vrede Farm" -- allegations that millions of dollars of public money meant for poor dairy farmers were siphoned off by the Guptas. Local media reported that Zuma had been pushing for an exit deal that included covering his potentially ruinous legal fees from prolonged court battles against multiple criminal charges. One case relates to 783 payments he allegedly received linked to an arms deal before he came to power. Many other graft allegations against him have centred on the three Gupta brothers, who are accused of unfairly obtaining lucrative government contracts and even being able to choose Zuma's ministerial appointments. Zuma has admitted he is friends with the Guptas, originally from India, but has denied any wrongdoing. Susan Booysen, a politics professor at Stellenbosch University, said that Zuma may still resign before a parliamentary vote -- albeit grudgingly. "I think that he is an angry person... and he is very reluctant to go," Booysen told AFP. The political wrangle has plunged South Africa -- the continent's most developed economy -- into confusion over who is running the country, with last week's annual State of the Nation address cancelled. Opposition parties have called for early elections as the ANC's turbulent transfer of power grinds on. Decline of Mandela's party Zuma's presidency has been marred by slow economic growth, continuing racial inequality and record unemployment that have fuelled public frustration. He was scheduled to stand down next year after serving the maximum two terms since coming to power in 2009. In 2008, Zuma's supporters pushed out then-president Thabo Mbeki via a similar "recall" manoeuvre over allegations of abuse of power. In local polls in 2016, the ANC recorded its worst electoral result since coming to power in 1994 with Nelson Mandela at the helm as white-minority rule fell. Ramaphosa, 65, the deputy president, must revive the economy and crack down on what he has admitted is rampant government corruption if he is to boost the party's tarnished reputation before a tricky election next year. He is a former trade unionist and Mandela ally who led talks to end apartheid in the early 1990s and then became a multi-millionaire businessman before returning to politics. Zuma's hold over the ANC was shaken in December when his chosen successor -- his former wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma -- narrowly lost to Ramaphosa in a vote for the new party leader. The ANC has insisted there will be no delay to the budget speech, which is due on February 21.

Defiant Zuma holds on despite resignation order

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-mujahideen-terrorist-involved-in-multiple-blasts-arrested-by-delhi-police-32850">165 people died in bombings arrested IM terrorist was involved </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-mujahideen-terrorist-involved-in-multiple-blasts-arrested-by-delhi-police-32850">in</a>:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-mujahideen-terrorist-involved-in-multiple-blasts-arrested-by-delhi-police-32850">&nbsp;Delhi Police</a>

Delhi Police Special Cell on Wednesday nabbed a 32-year-old Indian Mujahideen (IM) suspect, Ariz Khan alias Junaid. He was associated with Atif Amin who was killed in Batala House encounter.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-priya-prakash-varrier-wants-to-work-with-shah-rukh-khan-ranveer-singh-32852">WION exclusive: Priya Prakash </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-priya-prakash-varrier-wants-to-work-with-shah-rukh-khan-ranveer-singh-32852">Varrier</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-priya-prakash-varrier-wants-to-work-with-shah-rukh-khan-ranveer-singh-32852"> says she wants to work with Shah Rukh Khan, Ranveer Singh</a>

In an interview with WION, Priya spoke about being nation&#39;s current obsession, her debut film, her co-stars and her desire to work in Bollywood. The actress became an overnight sensation soon after a clip of her&#39;s from the film Oru Adaar Love went viral.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/has-anyone-ever-said-i-love-you-to-modi-asks-jignesh-mevani-32858">Has anyone ever said &#39;I love you&#39; to Modi, asks Jignesh Mevani</a>

Mevani, who has often stridently taken on Modi, also tweeted the hit &lsquo;Manikya Malaraya Poovi&rsquo; song featuring Priya Prakash Varrier which has been all over the Internet recently.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/plaint-against-oru-adaar-lovedirector-for-hurting-the-muslim-sentiments-32848">Complaint filed against &#39;Oru </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/plaint-against-oru-adaar-lovedirector-for-hurting-the-muslim-sentiments-32848">Adaar</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/plaint-against-oru-adaar-lovedirector-for-hurting-the-muslim-sentiments-32848"> Love&#39; director for hurting Muslim sentiments</a> 
The police complaint was filed after the song &#39;Oru Adaar Love&#39; from the film went viral and made the heroine of the film, Priya Prakash Varrier, an instant internet sensation. &nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-african-mps-set-to-finally-oust-zuma-thursday-anc-32863">South African MPs set to finally oust Zuma Thursday: ANC</a> 
Zuma, who now faces as ignomious end to his nine scandal-plagued years in power, was expected to respond later on Wednesday to the ANC&#39;s order for him to resign.

&nbsp;

165 people died in bombings arrested IM terrorist was involved in: Delhi Police Delhi Police Special Cell on Wednesday nabbed a 32-year-old Indian Mujahideen (IM) suspect, Ariz Khan alias Junaid. He was associated with Atif Amin who was killed in Batala House encounter. WION exclusive: Priya Prakash Varrier says she wants to work with Shah Rukh Khan, Ranveer Singh In an interview with WION, Priya spoke about being nation's current obsession, her debut film, her co-stars and her desire to work in Bollywood. The actress became an overnight sensation soon after a clip of her's from the film Oru Adaar Love went viral. Has anyone ever said 'I love you' to Modi, asks Jignesh Mevani Mevani, who has often stridently taken on Modi, also tweeted the hit ‘Manikya Malaraya Poovi’ song featuring Priya Prakash Varrier which has been all over the Internet recently. Complaint filed against 'Oru Adaar Love' director for hurting Muslim sentiments The police complaint was filed after the song 'Oru Adaar Love' from the film went viral and made the heroine of the film, Priya Prakash Varrier, an instant internet sensation. South African MPs set to finally oust Zuma Thursday: ANC Zuma, who now faces as ignomious end to his nine scandal-plagued years in power, was expected to respond later on Wednesday to the ANC's order for him to resign.

WION evening news brief, February 14, 2018

South Africa`s ruling African National Congress (ANC) will convene a special meeting of its decision-making executive on Monday, its spokesman said, amid mounting pressure on President Jacob Zuma to step down.

The ANC called off a similar meeting scheduled for last Wednesday to discuss Zuma`s future after the president and party leader Cyril Ramaphosa agreed to hold talks for a transition of power.

The party has only said that those talks were &quot;constructive&quot;.

Zuma, South Africa`s most controversial president since the end of white-minority rule in 1994, has been in a weakened position since he was replaced as ANC leader by Deputy President Ramaphosa in December.&nbsp;

Zuma, who no longer holds a top position in the party, has not said whether he will resign voluntarily before his second term as president ends in the middle of next year.

ANC spokesman Pule Mabe could not say whether Monday`s special meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) would discuss Zuma`s political future.

NEC is a key ANC decision-making body that has the power to instruct Zuma to resign.

&quot;We do have a meeting tomorrow, we are unable to speak about the agenda at this stage,&quot; Mabe said on Sunday.

A senior ANC source told Reuters the meeting was scheduled to take place at 1200 GMT in Pretoria on Monday.

&quot;We expect to discuss Zuma`s future,&quot; another source said.

Zuma has overseen a tumultuous nine years in power marked by economic decline and numerous allegations of corruption.

The ANC called off a similar meeting scheduled for last Wednesday to discuss Zuma`s future after the president and party leader Cyril Ramaphosa agreed to hold talks for a transition of power

South Africa`s ruling African National Congress (ANC) will convene a special meeting of its decision-making executive on Monday, its spokesman said, amid mounting pressure on President Jacob Zuma to step down. The ANC called off a similar meeting scheduled for last Wednesday to discuss Zuma`s future after the president and party leader Cyril Ramaphosa agreed to hold talks for a transition of power. The party has only said that those talks were "constructive". Zuma, South Africa`s most controversial president since the end of white-minority rule in 1994, has been in a weakened position since he was replaced as ANC leader by Deputy President Ramaphosa in December. Zuma, who no longer holds a top position in the party, has not said whether he will resign voluntarily before his second term as president ends in the middle of next year. ANC spokesman Pule Mabe could not say whether Monday`s special meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) would discuss Zuma`s political future. NEC is a key ANC decision-making body that has the power to instruct Zuma to resign. "We do have a meeting tomorrow, we are unable to speak about the agenda at this stage," Mabe said on Sunday. A senior ANC source told Reuters the meeting was scheduled to take place at 1200 GMT in Pretoria on Monday. "We expect to discuss Zuma`s future," another source said. Zuma has overseen a tumultuous nine years in power marked by economic decline and numerous allegations of corruption.

South Africa's ANC to hold meeting on Monday as pressure mounts on Zuma

The African National Congress expects to announce the successor to President Jacob Zuma as party leader on Sunday when ANC delegates elect a new figurehead for the movement that has ruled South Africa since the end of apartheid.

The vote is crucial because whoever emerges at the helm of the 105-year-old liberation movement that has electoral dominance in Africa&#39;s most industrialised economy is likely to become South Africa&#39;s next president after elections in 2019.

After lengthy delays on the first day of the ANC conference on Saturday, the leadership contest was still too close to call, with most grassroots ANC members backing Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa or Zuma&#39;s preferred candidate, his former wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, 68.

Ramaphosa, 65, got the majority of nominations from party branches scattered across the country. But the complexity of the leadership race means it is far from certain he will win when the votes are finally counted.

The election is perhaps the most pivotal moment for the ANC in its 23 years of power. Scandal and corruption allegations have tainted Zuma&#39;s presidency and the party that launched black majority rule under Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nelson Mandela is now deeply divided, its image tarnished at home and abroad.

Party spokesman Zizi Kodwa said the ANC hoped to declare a winner on Sunday, but this depended &quot;on getting through the credentials process,&quot; or vetting the eligibility of the delegates.&nbsp;

Under ANC rules, a majority of nominations is not the same as the most votes at the conference and delegates are not bound to vote for a particular candidate.

How the roughly 6,000 delegates will vote may also be subject to vote-buying and intimidation - which are widely acknowledged to have swayed previous leadership contests.

ANC Chairwoman Baleka Mbete - who is also the speaker of parliament - publicly endorsed Ramaphosa, online news service EWN reported.

Stan Itshegetseng, chairman of an ANC branch in Soweto, said: &quot;I believe Cyril will win this election because the majority of ANC branches endorsed him.&quot;

Carl Niehaus, a key member of Dlamini-Zuma&#39;s campaign, said she would be propelled to victory by &quot;the grassroots and the poor. That is important in South Africa because we have a huge gap between rich and poor.&quot;

Dlamini-Zuma pledged during her campaign to tackle the racial inequality that persists in South Africa since the end of white minority rule.

Ramaphosa vowed to fight corruption and revitalise the economy. That message has gone down well with foreign investors.

Managing director of Goldman Sachs in South Africa, Colin Coleman, described the two candidates as &quot;quite divergent&quot; in their views on how to revive a lacklustre economy.

In a boost to Ramaphosa, courts ruled that officials from some provinces seen as supporting Dlamini-Zuma had been elected illegally and were barred from the conference. The rand currency firmed more than 2 percent after that news on Friday.

In his last speech as ANC leader, Zuma called on the party to unite behind whoever is declared the winner, saying &quot;the movement (ANC) must be the winner and not individuals.&quot;

Whoever emerges at the helm of the 105-year-old liberation movement is likely to become South Africa`s next president after elections in 2019

The African National Congress expects to announce the successor to President Jacob Zuma as party leader on Sunday when ANC delegates elect a new figurehead for the movement that has ruled South Africa since the end of apartheid. The vote is crucial because whoever emerges at the helm of the 105-year-old liberation movement that has electoral dominance in Africa's most industrialised economy is likely to become South Africa's next president after elections in 2019. After lengthy delays on the first day of the ANC conference on Saturday, the leadership contest was still too close to call, with most grassroots ANC members backing Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa or Zuma's preferred candidate, his former wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, 68. Ramaphosa, 65, got the majority of nominations from party branches scattered across the country. But the complexity of the leadership race means it is far from certain he will win when the votes are finally counted. The election is perhaps the most pivotal moment for the ANC in its 23 years of power. Scandal and corruption allegations have tainted Zuma's presidency and the party that launched black majority rule under Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nelson Mandela is now deeply divided, its image tarnished at home and abroad. Party spokesman Zizi Kodwa said the ANC hoped to declare a winner on Sunday, but this depended "on getting through the credentials process," or vetting the eligibility of the delegates. Under ANC rules, a majority of nominations is not the same as the most votes at the conference and delegates are not bound to vote for a particular candidate. How the roughly 6,000 delegates will vote may also be subject to vote-buying and intimidation - which are widely acknowledged to have swayed previous leadership contests. ANC Chairwoman Baleka Mbete - who is also the speaker of parliament - publicly endorsed Ramaphosa, online news service EWN reported. Stan Itshegetseng, chairman of an ANC branch in Soweto, said: "I believe Cyril will win this election because the majority of ANC branches endorsed him." Carl Niehaus, a key member of Dlamini-Zuma's campaign, said she would be propelled to victory by "the grassroots and the poor. That is important in South Africa because we have a huge gap between rich and poor." Dlamini-Zuma pledged during her campaign to tackle the racial inequality that persists in South Africa since the end of white minority rule. Ramaphosa vowed to fight corruption and revitalise the economy. That message has gone down well with foreign investors. Managing director of Goldman Sachs in South Africa, Colin Coleman, described the two candidates as "quite divergent" in their views on how to revive a lacklustre economy. In a boost to Ramaphosa, courts ruled that officials from some provinces seen as supporting Dlamini-Zuma had been elected illegally and were barred from the conference. The rand currency firmed more than 2 percent after that news on Friday. In his last speech as ANC leader, Zuma called on the party to unite behind whoever is declared the winner, saying "the movement (ANC) must be the winner and not individuals."

South Africa's ANC to elect leader to replace President Zuma

Thousands of delegates from South Africa&#39;s ANC party gathered Saturday for a five-day meeting to elect their new leader in a divisive race seen as a pivotal moment in the country&#39;s post-apartheid history.&nbsp;

The winner will be well placed to be the next president, but the ANC has lost much popularity since Nelson Mandela led it to power in the euphoric 1994 election that marked the end of white-minority rule.&nbsp;Soaring unemployment and government corruption have fuelled frustration among millions of poor black South Africans who face dire housing, inadequate education, and continuing racial inequality.&nbsp;

President Jacob Zuma, whose reign has been marred by graft scandals, will step down as ANC chief but remain as head of state ahead of general elections in 2019.&nbsp;The two front-runners for the party leadership are his ex-wife and former African Union Commission head Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, a wealthy businessman.

The battle could split the ANC and the conference looks set to be acrimonious.&nbsp;ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe on Saturday said some delegates had been disqualified from voting after multiple legal disputes raged in courts for weeks before the meeting.&nbsp;As rival delegates danced and sang songs in support of their chosen candidate, Mantashe said the start of the event had been delayed until 1200 GMT when Zuma would make the opening address.

Dlamini-Zuma, 68, headed the African Union commission until earlier this year and is a former interior, foreign affairs, and health minister.&nbsp;But her critics say she would pursue Zuma&#39;s failing economic and political policies and would be his proxy to protect him from criminal prosecution over graft allegations.&nbsp;

The couple had four children together before divorcing in 1998.

&nbsp;&#39;Afraid of being prosecuted&#39;&nbsp;

Ramaphosa, 65, a former trade union leader, led the historic negotiations in the 1990s to end apartheid before launching a business career that made him one of the country&#39;s wealthiest men.&nbsp;He is often accused of failing to confront Zuma while serving as his deputy since 2014.&nbsp;

&quot;There is so much at stake and the two candidates are very close in the race&quot;, Amanda Gouws, a politics professor at Stellenbosch University, told AFP.&nbsp;Gouws said that the thousands of party delegates could be offered bribes for their votes and that Zuma was lobbying hard for Dlamini-Zuma to emerge victoriously.&nbsp;

&quot;Zuma is very afraid of being prosecuted after he leaves office if Dlamini-Zuma doesn&#39;t win, so he is really trying to make sure she does&quot;, she said.&nbsp;Dlamini-Zuma has strongly denied her campaign had been involved with vote-buying, saying &quot;no leader will be proud of being elected out of money&quot;.&nbsp;With tensions rising, Ramaphosa said the party &quot;should rally behind whoever is elected&quot;.

Tefu Velaphi, a 38-year-old delegate, and building manager, told AFP: &quot;Zuma&#39;s legacy is disastrous. He only cares about himself and his friends. We want them to be arrested.&nbsp;&quot;That lady will protect Zuma&quot;, he said, referring to Dlamini-Zuma.&nbsp;But Matthew Tsepang, one of her supporters, said: &nbsp;&quot;We can not judge a person by her previous life. She can be a former wife but have her independence. She is a capable leader&quot;.

&nbsp;2019 election looms

The ANC is still South Africa&#39;s biggest party by far, but the 54 percent it won in local elections last year was its worst poll result since 1994 -- underlining its sharp recent decline in popularity.&nbsp;Ramaphosa is widely seen as the stronger candidate to lead the party into the 2019 general election.&nbsp;But if he loses the party leadership battle, some experts say the party could split.

Opposition parties the Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters are both hoping to exploit the ANC&#39;s woes in the election, with one possible outcome being a coalition government.&nbsp;Other leadership hopefuls include parliament speaker Baleka Mbete, presidency minister Jeff Radebe and Zweli Mkhize, the party treasurer.

The ANC has lost much popularity since Nelson Mandela led it to power in the euphoric 1994 election that marked the end of white-minority rule

Thousands of delegates from South Africa's ANC party gathered Saturday for a five-day meeting to elect their new leader in a divisive race seen as a pivotal moment in the country's post-apartheid history. The winner will be well placed to be the next president, but the ANC has lost much popularity since Nelson Mandela led it to power in the euphoric 1994 election that marked the end of white-minority rule. Soaring unemployment and government corruption have fuelled frustration among millions of poor black South Africans who face dire housing, inadequate education, and continuing racial inequality. President Jacob Zuma, whose reign has been marred by graft scandals, will step down as ANC chief but remain as head of state ahead of general elections in 2019. The two front-runners for the party leadership are his ex-wife and former African Union Commission head Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, a wealthy businessman. The battle could split the ANC and the conference looks set to be acrimonious. ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe on Saturday said some delegates had been disqualified from voting after multiple legal disputes raged in courts for weeks before the meeting. As rival delegates danced and sang songs in support of their chosen candidate, Mantashe said the start of the event had been delayed until 1200 GMT when Zuma would make the opening address. Dlamini-Zuma, 68, headed the African Union commission until earlier this year and is a former interior, foreign affairs, and health minister. But her critics say she would pursue Zuma's failing economic and political policies and would be his proxy to protect him from criminal prosecution over graft allegations. The couple had four children together before divorcing in 1998. 'Afraid of being prosecuted' Ramaphosa, 65, a former trade union leader, led the historic negotiations in the 1990s to end apartheid before launching a business career that made him one of the country's wealthiest men. He is often accused of failing to confront Zuma while serving as his deputy since 2014. "There is so much at stake and the two candidates are very close in the race", Amanda Gouws, a politics professor at Stellenbosch University, told AFP. Gouws said that the thousands of party delegates could be offered bribes for their votes and that Zuma was lobbying hard for Dlamini-Zuma to emerge victoriously. "Zuma is very afraid of being prosecuted after he leaves office if Dlamini-Zuma doesn't win, so he is really trying to make sure she does", she said. Dlamini-Zuma has strongly denied her campaign had been involved with vote-buying, saying "no leader will be proud of being elected out of money". With tensions rising, Ramaphosa said the party "should rally behind whoever is elected". Tefu Velaphi, a 38-year-old delegate, and building manager, told AFP: "Zuma's legacy is disastrous. He only cares about himself and his friends. We want them to be arrested. "That lady will protect Zuma", he said, referring to Dlamini-Zuma. But Matthew Tsepang, one of her supporters, said: "We can not judge a person by her previous life. She can be a former wife but have her independence. She is a capable leader". 2019 election looms The ANC is still South Africa's biggest party by far, but the 54 percent it won in local elections last year was its worst poll result since 1994 -- underlining its sharp recent decline in popularity. Ramaphosa is widely seen as the stronger candidate to lead the party into the 2019 general election. But if he loses the party leadership battle, some experts say the party could split. Opposition parties the Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters are both hoping to exploit the ANC's woes in the election, with one possible outcome being a coalition government. Other leadership hopefuls include parliament speaker Baleka Mbete, presidency minister Jeff Radebe and Zweli Mkhize, the party treasurer.

South Africa's troubled ANC meets to elect new leader

Having survived eight motions of no confidence, South Africa&#39;s president Jacob Gezedleyihlekisa Zuma has emerged as a political survivor. From his rise to power&nbsp;to the eighth time attempt at removing him from the power and with all the corruption scandals, President Zuma&#39;s political career has been a rollercoaster ride.

Things, however, are different this time. Zuma might have survived this eighth no confidence vote by 198 votes, but&nbsp;the results have proved his victory to be narrow. Worst still, 29 of Zuma&#39;s own MPs voted to oust him. This brings to light that Zuma&nbsp;may not be enjoying full support within The African National Congress (ANC) after all.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>29 of Zuma&#39;s own MPs voted to oust him.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=29 of Zuma's own MPs voted to oust him." target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

ANC which enjoys 62.15 per cent of votes saw the majority of its MPs&nbsp;united to save the party. Despite the rift among partners of the ANC&#39;s tripartite alliance, the victory was not for Zuma but for the ANC, and here is how it happened. Ahead of the vote, the ANC factions failed to reach a consensus on who will lead the party should the no confidence vote succeed.

Addressing the media few days before the vote, the &nbsp;ANC Chief Whip Jackson Mthembu said that the ANC is not ready for a new leader, and voting president Jacob Zuma out would be like a nuclear bomb. Zuma&#39;s deputy Cyril Ramaphosa Blade as well as Ndzimande, the leader of the South African Communist Party ( SACP), added to the explosive words of the chief whip by calling for the resignation of Zuma.

The SACP holds a majority of 80 MPs&nbsp;out of the 249 ANC tripartite alliance. The majority of ministers in the Zuma cabinet are SACP members, including Zuma&#39;s deputy Ramaphosa. The communists publicly supported calls for the president to resign since the Finance Minister Pravin Godharnthe was fired in an overnight cabinet reshuffle.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>the failure of ANCs&#39;&nbsp;MPs to remove president Jacob Zuma&nbsp;from power in spite of corruption charges against him further weakens the ANC ahead of the general election.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=the failure of ANCs'?MPs to remove president Jacob Zuma?from power in spite of corruption charges against him further weakens the ANC ahead of the general election." target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

Although the Opposition which championed the no confidence vote fell short of the requisite&nbsp;number of MPs to support the motion, the failure of ANCs&#39;&nbsp;MPs to remove president Jacob Zuma&nbsp;from power in spite of corruption charges against him further weakens ANC, the &quot;liberator party&quot;, ahead of the general election in 2019.

This has been the dream of the main Opposition: to collapse the once resilient structure of ANC through exposing its flaws and rift. Already the Democratic Alliance (DA)&nbsp;is sharing power in some of the ANC&#39;s&nbsp;key metro municipalities and there has been a complete ouster of the ANC in 2 metros.

The outcome of the no-confidence motion has further depreciated the South African Rand and many of the problems raised during the debate remain&nbsp;unresolved. As the party goes to an elective conference in December, it is still unclear as to who will lead the ANC to the 2019 polls, and turn around Africa&#39;s most advanced&nbsp;economy by bringing about a change in the devastating unemployment rate of 27 per cent. &nbsp;

The failure of ANCs'?MPs to remove president Jacob Zuma?from power in spite of corruption charges against him further weakens ANC

Having survived eight motions of no confidence, South Africa's president Jacob Gezedleyihlekisa Zuma has emerged as a political survivor. From his rise to power to the eighth time attempt at removing him from the power and with all the corruption scandals, President Zuma's political career has been a rollercoaster ride. Things, however, are different this time. Zuma might have survived this eighth no confidence vote by 198 votes, but the results have proved his victory to be narrow. Worst still, 29 of Zuma's own MPs voted to oust him. This brings to light that Zuma may not be enjoying full support within The African National Congress (ANC) after all. 29 of Zuma's own MPs voted to oust him. × ANC which enjoys 62.15 per cent of votes saw the majority of its MPs united to save the party. Despite the rift among partners of the ANC's tripartite alliance, the victory was not for Zuma but for the ANC, and here is how it happened. Ahead of the vote, the ANC factions failed to reach a consensus on who will lead the party should the no confidence vote succeed. Addressing the media few days before the vote, the ANC Chief Whip Jackson Mthembu said that the ANC is not ready for a new leader, and voting president Jacob Zuma out would be like a nuclear bomb. Zuma's deputy Cyril Ramaphosa Blade as well as Ndzimande, the leader of the South African Communist Party ( SACP), added to the explosive words of the chief whip by calling for the resignation of Zuma. The SACP holds a majority of 80 MPs out of the 249 ANC tripartite alliance. The majority of ministers in the Zuma cabinet are SACP members, including Zuma's deputy Ramaphosa. The communists publicly supported calls for the president to resign since the Finance Minister Pravin Godharnthe was fired in an overnight cabinet reshuffle. the failure of ANCs' MPs to remove president Jacob Zuma from power in spite of corruption charges against him further weakens the ANC ahead of the general election. × Although the Opposition which championed the no confidence vote fell short of the requisite number of MPs to support the motion, the failure of ANCs' MPs to remove president Jacob Zuma from power in spite of corruption charges against him further weakens ANC, the "liberator party", ahead of the general election in 2019. This has been the dream of the main Opposition: to collapse the once resilient structure of ANC through exposing its flaws and rift. Already the Democratic Alliance (DA) is sharing power in some of the ANC's key metro municipalities and there has been a complete ouster of the ANC in 2 metros. The outcome of the no-confidence motion has further depreciated the South African Rand and many of the problems raised during the debate remain unresolved. As the party goes to an elective conference in December, it is still unclear as to who will lead the ANC to the 2019 polls, and turn around Africa's most advanced economy by bringing about a change in the devastating unemployment rate of 27 per cent.

A victory for African National Congress but a defeat for Jacob Zuma

South African President Jacob Zuma on Sunday urged supporters to vote for the ruling African National Congress (ANC) ahead of fiercely competitive municipal polls that could see the party lose control of several major cities. 
 
Zuma&#39;s ANC, which now controls the majority of the country&#39;s 278 municipalities, has been weakened by graft scandals and growing public discontent since it led the fight against white-minority rule. 
 
At a massive final rally, the party made a last push for votes, stressing its anti-apartheid history and past accomplishments. 
 
&quot;Millions of our people must vote ANC and enable their movement to continue improving the lives of our people,&quot; Zuma told a packed Ellis Park Stadium in the Johannesburg city centre. 
 
&quot;Every vote counts.&quot; 
 
An estimated 55,000 supporters decked in the ANC&#39;s green, yellow and black filled the stands for the extravagant rally in a campaign the party said had cost it R1 billion ($72 million). 
 
&quot;We have walked the streets of this country, we have visited every town, every city. We have been to thousands of homes,&quot; said Zuma. 
 
The latest Ipsos opinion polls suggest that the ANC, which has ruled since the end of apartheid in 1994, could be under threat in three major cities -- Pretoria, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth -- in Wednesday&#39;s election. 
 
The main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), which rules in Cape Town, is hoping for a breakthrough result, citing the country&#39;s poor economic performance and a series of corruption scandals plaguing Zuma. 
 
Last week, South Africa&#39;s highest court ruled that the president pay back $500,000 of public funds spent upgrading his private Nkandla residence with facilities including a chicken coop and a swimming pool. 
 
&quot;A lot of money was wasted there that should have been spent on the people,&quot; Frieda Motlatla, 24, told AFP at Sunday&#39;s rally. 
 
But with her hair wrapped in an ANC turban, she said Zuma&#39;s troubles would not affect her support: &quot;I don&#39;t vote for a person, I for a party.&quot; 
 
&quot;Nkandla is not our business,&quot; agreed Simon Machaka, 42. &quot;Some people will always be dissatisfied. They don&#39;t focus on the good things.&quot; 
 
The radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party is also seeking to make a major impact in its first municipal elections. 
 
All three main parties held their final rallies this weekend. 
 
Zuma, 74, will have completed two terms in office in 2019 and is not eligible to run for president again, but the ANC could replace him ahead of the next general election if the party scores poorly in the local polls. 
 
(AFP)

President Jacob Zuma's ANC controls large parts of the country's municipalities, but graft scandals have made him unpopular

South African President Jacob Zuma on Sunday urged supporters to vote for the ruling African National Congress (ANC) ahead of fiercely competitive municipal polls that could see the party lose control of several major cities. Zuma's ANC, which now controls the majority of the country's 278 municipalities, has been weakened by graft scandals and growing public discontent since it led the fight against white-minority rule. At a massive final rally, the party made a last push for votes, stressing its anti-apartheid history and past accomplishments. "Millions of our people must vote ANC and enable their movement to continue improving the lives of our people," Zuma told a packed Ellis Park Stadium in the Johannesburg city centre. "Every vote counts." An estimated 55,000 supporters decked in the ANC's green, yellow and black filled the stands for the extravagant rally in a campaign the party said had cost it R1 billion ($72 million). "We have walked the streets of this country, we have visited every town, every city. We have been to thousands of homes," said Zuma. The latest Ipsos opinion polls suggest that the ANC, which has ruled since the end of apartheid in 1994, could be under threat in three major cities -- Pretoria, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth -- in Wednesday's election. The main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), which rules in Cape Town, is hoping for a breakthrough result, citing the country's poor economic performance and a series of corruption scandals plaguing Zuma. Last week, South Africa's highest court ruled that the president pay back $500,000 of public funds spent upgrading his private Nkandla residence with facilities including a chicken coop and a swimming pool. "A lot of money was wasted there that should have been spent on the people," Frieda Motlatla, 24, told AFP at Sunday's rally. But with her hair wrapped in an ANC turban, she said Zuma's troubles would not affect her support: "I don't vote for a person, I for a party." "Nkandla is not our business," agreed Simon Machaka, 42. "Some people will always be dissatisfied. They don't focus on the good things." The radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party is also seeking to make a major impact in its first municipal elections. All three main parties held their final rallies this weekend. Zuma, 74, will have completed two terms in office in 2019 and is not eligible to run for president again, but the ANC could replace him ahead of the next general election if the party scores poorly in the local polls. (AFP)

South African President urges citizens to vote for African National Congress

Protesters burnt vehicles and set tires on fire to barricade roads in South Africa&#39;s capital on Tuesday, June 21, after the ANC named a mayoral candidate not nominated by the ruling party&#39;s regional branches. 
 
The violence spread overnight from the townships and started after a member of the African National Congress (ANC) was shot dead on Sunday, June 19, as factions clashed at a meeting in Pretoria to decide on the candidates for mayor of Tshwane municipality, where Pretoria is located. 
 
The ANC then named senior party member and former cabinet minister, Thoko Didiza, as its candidate for Tshwane, saying that it made the decision after wrangling between members at the party&#39;s headquarters over who should lead the municipality. 
 
According to local media, residents want the incumbent mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa to be allowed to run on the ANC ticket but Ramokgopa has publicly backed Didiza&#39;s selection and called for calm. 
 
The ANC said its members were not to blame for the violence. 
 
Local elections in August pose a major test for the ANC as it gears up for a 2019 presidential vote in the face of a slowing economy and a strong challenge from the opposition 
 
(Reuters)

The violence spread overnight, starting after a member of the African National Congress was shot dead on Sunday

Protesters burnt vehicles and set tires on fire to barricade roads in South Africa's capital on Tuesday, June 21, after the ANC named a mayoral candidate not nominated by the ruling party's regional branches. The violence spread overnight from the townships and started after a member of the African National Congress (ANC) was shot dead on Sunday, June 19, as factions clashed at a meeting in Pretoria to decide on the candidates for mayor of Tshwane municipality, where Pretoria is located. The ANC then named senior party member and former cabinet minister, Thoko Didiza, as its candidate for Tshwane, saying that it made the decision after wrangling between members at the party's headquarters over who should lead the municipality. According to local media, residents want the incumbent mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa to be allowed to run on the ANC ticket but Ramokgopa has publicly backed Didiza's selection and called for calm. The ANC said its members were not to blame for the violence. Local elections in August pose a major test for the ANC as it gears up for a 2019 presidential vote in the face of a slowing economy and a strong challenge from the opposition (Reuters)

Protesters in Pretoria burn cars, tires after unnominated man becomes mayoral candidate

Anc, News on Anc, stories on Anc, articles on Anc, Anc stories at Wion, Anc news, Anc latest news