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S.Africa’s Ramaphosa admits ANC ‘disunity’, vows ‘new beginning’

South Africa’s president-in-waiting Cyril Ramaphosa admitted Sunday to “disunity and discord” in the ruling ANC party as the deadlocked effort to oust scandal-tainted leader Jacob Zuma grinds on.

Ramaphosa outlined his wish to replace “a period of difficulty, disunity and discord” with “a new beginning” for the party, vowing to tackle alleged corruption that has tarnished Zuma’s government.

With Zuma refusing a party request to resign, the African National Congress (ANC) top decision-making committee will meet on Monday.

The national executive committee could recall the president from office, though he also has the constitutional right to ignore the order.

“Because our people want this matter to be finalised, the national executive committee will be doing precisely that,” Ramaphosa told an ANC rally in Cape Town to loud applause.

“We know you want closure — we will be doing so keeping our eyes on what is in the interests of all our people,” he said.

Zuma has clung to power after rejecting a request by his party’s senior officials to resign a week ago.