JOHANNESBURG: Rul­i­ng party critics of South African President Jacob Zuma pushed for his resignation on Sunday amid concern about alleged corruption at the highest levels of the government, but the president still retained significant support within the divided party.

This weekend, opponents proposed a motion of no confidence against Zuma at a meeting of leaders of the African National Congress party, which has led South Africa since the end of white minority rule in 1994. Many in the party attribute the ANC’s poor performance in local elections last year to scandals surrounding the president and want to shore up their popularity ahead of national elections in 2019.

The motion was proposed by party member Joel Netsh­itenzhe, and it was supported by the health minister and his deputy, as well as the former tourism minister, repor­ted the News24 website. State broadcaster SABC said the chairman of the National Executive Commit­tee meeting did not allow debate on the motion because it was not on the agenda, though the meeting was continuing late on Sunday.

Zuma survived a similar move to oust him at a committee meeting in November, but unease within the ruling party grew after he fired Pravin Gordhan, the widely respected finance minister, in a Cabinet reshuffle in March.

Two agencies, Fitch and Standard & Poor’s, respon­ded to Gordhan’s dismissal by lowering South Africa’s credit rating to below investment grade, raising concerns about an already struggling economy with high unemployment.

Zuma’s ties to the Gupta family, Indian immigrant businessmen accused of trying to manipulate top government leaders for financial gain, has also stirred public anger.

Published in Dawn, May 29th, 2017