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Assembly to elect Zuma president Zuma elected South African leader
(about 4 hours later)
The leader of South Africa's African National Congress, Jacob Zuma, is to be officially elected as president by members of the National Assembly. The leader of South Africa's African National Congress, Jacob Zuma, has been officially elected the country's president by members of parliament.
He will then be inaugurated on Saturday, following general elections won by the ANC two weeks ago. He will be inaugurated on Saturday. The ANC won the general election in South Africa two weeks ago.
Mr Zuma's government is expected to focus on the faltering economy, fighting crime, poverty and HIV/Aids.Mr Zuma's government is expected to focus on the faltering economy, fighting crime, poverty and HIV/Aids.
He faced corruption charges, dropped on a technicality just before the polls. He always denied any wrongdoing.He faced corruption charges, dropped on a technicality just before the polls. He always denied any wrongdoing.
Pro-poor populist ticket Pro-poor populist
Mr Zuma, 67, was challenged in the vote by Mvume Dandala of the opposition Congress of the People (Cope), which broke away from the ANC last year.
Mr Zuma received 277 votes compared to 47 for Mr Dandala.
South Africa's fourth democratic parliament, seated in Cape Town, began by swearing in 400 MPs when it convened for the first time on Wednesday.South Africa's fourth democratic parliament, seated in Cape Town, began by swearing in 400 MPs when it convened for the first time on Wednesday.
The BBC's Mohammed Allie in Cape Town says the MPs then elected the speaker and deputy speaker. The BBC's Mohammed Allie in Cape Town says the MPs then elected the speaker and deputy speaker before voting for Mr Zuma.
They are now preparing to elect the president, who will address parliament afterwards.
With a 66% majority following this month's general election, Mr Zuma's confirmation in the top job is expected to be mere procedure.
Tens of thousands of people and some 5,000 dignitaries are expected on Saturday to attend what is considered to be the main event: Mr Zuma's inauguration in Pretoria. His new cabinet will be announced by Sunday.Tens of thousands of people and some 5,000 dignitaries are expected on Saturday to attend what is considered to be the main event: Mr Zuma's inauguration in Pretoria. His new cabinet will be announced by Sunday.
Mr Zuma won over voters on a pro-poor populist ticket and the ANC gained 264 seats in parliament.Mr Zuma won over voters on a pro-poor populist ticket and the ANC gained 264 seats in parliament.
But the party which has governed South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994 fell just short of its previous two-thirds majority, which had enabled it to pass constitutional changes.But the party which has governed South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994 fell just short of its previous two-thirds majority, which had enabled it to pass constitutional changes.
It lost ground to the official opposition, the Democratic Alliance, which has swelled to 67 seats and the new Congress of the People (third place with 30 seats), the ANC breakaway party. It lost ground to the official opposition, the Democratic Alliance, which has swelled to 67 seats and Cope (third place with 30 seats).
Our correspondent says former President Thabo Mbeki was criticised for not spending enough time in parliament but many analysts believe Mr Zuma will have a different approach.Our correspondent says former President Thabo Mbeki was criticised for not spending enough time in parliament but many analysts believe Mr Zuma will have a different approach.
Mr Zuma was kicked out of parliament in 2005 when he was fired by Mr Mbeki after being implicated in a corruption scandal.Mr Zuma was kicked out of parliament in 2005 when he was fired by Mr Mbeki after being implicated in a corruption scandal.
The charges were dropped just before the election on a technicality amid evidence of government meddling in pursuing the case.The charges were dropped just before the election on a technicality amid evidence of government meddling in pursuing the case.
In February 2006, the controversial polygamist was acquitted of rape in a separate case, though he was widely criticised for his comments about sex and HIV/Aids.In February 2006, the controversial polygamist was acquitted of rape in a separate case, though he was widely criticised for his comments about sex and HIV/Aids.