S Africa’s Zuma pushes to overturn graft probe

JOHANNESBURG: South African President Jacob Zuma has launched a court challenge to a watchdog probe that raised allegations of misconduct against him, an affidavit showed on Sunday, as he fights to hold on to power.

Zuma, who last week beat back an attempt within ruling ANC party to unseat him, has been under pressure since the probe uncovered possible criminal activity in his relationship with the Guptas, a wealthy business family.

The president, who came to power in 2009, has faced growing calls to resign over multiple graft scandals and the country’s poor economic performance, with unemployment at a 13-year high.

The watchdog instructed Zuma to set up a judicial inquiry into the allegations that the Guptas had influence over ministerial appointments and lucrative government contracts.

“To accede to that instruction... would be to abdicate my responsibility,” he said in the affidavit quoted in South African papers on Sunday.