Zuma forced to resign

WEALTHY former businessman Cyril Ramaphosa is set to be elected South Africa’s president after scandal-tainted Jacob Zuma resigned under intense pressure from his party.

Mr Zuma announced he had stepped down in a latenight television address in which he took digs at the African National Congress party that had threatened to oust him via a no-confidence vote in parliament.

Mr Zuma, 75, has been in a lengthy power struggle with Mr Ramaphosa, the Deputy President. Mr Ramaphosa, who won control of the ANC in December, is likely to be voted in by parliament as the new president today or tomorrow.