Quit now, Zuma told by his party

SOUTH African president Jacob Zuma has been ordered to resign ‘urgently’ by his party following marathon talks to break the country’s political deadlock.

He has defied increasing pressure to quit since he was replaced as leader of the ruling African National Congress by Cyril Ramaphosa in December.

Mr Zuma, 75, has been dogged by allegations of corruption since he became president in 2009 and was finally given notice to quit by the ANC’s National Executive Committee yesterday.

A letter announcing his ‘recall’, said the decision was ‘now final’ and should be ‘treated with urgency’. He is expected to respond today.

The ANC’s popularity has plummeted during Mr Zuma’s rule but he retains strong support in poor, rural areas.