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South African President Zuma given 48 hours to step down

South African President Jacob Zuma.

South African President Jacob Zuma. Photo: Getty

South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) has given President Jacob Zuma 48 hours to resign as head of state, the country’s state broadcaster says.

Party leader Cyril Ramaphosa’s motorcade left a marathon ANC National Executive Committee meeting for Zuma’s residence near the Union Buildings in Pretoria to deliver the message in person, the report said.

His motorcade returned an hour later.

Since Ramaphosa was voted in as party leader in December, Zuma has faced mounting calls from his party to end his scandal-plagued second term a year early.

The party executive has the authority to order Zuma to step down as head of state, although there is some media speculation that he might yet refuse.

ANC officials and Mr Zuma’s spokesman could not be reached for comment.

Mr Zuma became president in 2009 but has been dogged by scandal.  He denies wrongdoing.

South Africa’s top court ruled that he violated the constitution following an investigation into multi-million-dollar upgrades to his private home that were paid for by the state.

A judicial commission is about to start a probe of alleged looting of state enterprises by Mr Zuma’s associates, and prosecutors are expected to announce soon whether they will reinstate corruption charges tied to an arms deal two decades ago.

Mr Ramaphosa has put the focus on rooting out corruption and revitalising economic growth.

-AAP

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