Ramaphosa due to become SA President after Zuma resigned

Cyril Ramaphosa, left, was the deputy president to Jacob Zuma

Cyril Ramaphosa is due to become South Africa's president after embattled leader Jacob Zuma resigned.

Mr Zuma was under intense pressure from his own ANC party, which told him to step down or face a vote of no-confidence in parliament.

In a televised statement he said he was quitting with immediate effect but said he disagreed with the party's decision.

Mr Zuma faces numerous corruption allegations but denies any wrongdoing.

As deputy president, Mr Ramaphosa automatically became acting president when Mr Zuma stood down.

A government statement says the National Assembly will elect a new president of South Africa in Cape Town on Thursday afternoon.

Cusp of a dream

Analysis: Lebo Diseko, BBC News, Johannesburg

It is often said that Mr Ramaphosa has had his eye on the position of president since the ANC came to power in 1994.

The story goes that he was so upset at not having been chosen by Nelson Mandela as his successor that he left politics and went into business.

But Mr Ramaphosa is now on the cusp of finally realising that dream.

He has said his priority is reviving South Africa's battered economy. But it won't be easy: Unemployment is currently at almost 30%, a rate which rises to nearly 40% for young people.

Low growth rates and dwindling investor confidence were compounded by two credit agencies downgrading the economy to junk status.

One of the first steps in improving that investor confidence is addressing the persistent claims of corruption at the heart of government.

What next for South Africa?

There is a renewed sense of hope as Mr Ramaphosa is taking over the reins of Africa's most industrialised economy. Some will miss him though, pointing to achievements like announcing the abolition of fees for higher education, says the BBC's Milton Nkosi in Johannesburg.

Mr Zuma, a former member of the ANC's military wing in the days of apartheid, rose through the ranks of the party to become president. He led the country for more than a third of its time after apartheid.

But he leaves office with several scandals hanging over him, and with South Africa's economy in dire straits.

On Wednesday, police swooped on the Johannesburg home of the powerful and wealthy Gupta family.

Eight suspects appeared in court on Thursday on fraud and money laundering charges, local media report. But they did not include any of the best-known Gupta brothers - Ajay, Atul and Rajesh.

Among the eight in court was Varun Gupta, who was Chief Operating Officer of the Gupta-owned mining firm Oakbay Resources and Energy. He is yet to make a plea in court.

The Guptas have been accused of using their close friendship with the president to wield enormous political influence. They deny all allegations of wrongdoing.

Cyril Ramaphosa at a glance:Who is Cyril Ramaphosa?

• Detained in 1974 and 1976 for anti-apartheid activities
• Chairman of committee which prepared for Nelson Mandela's release from prison in 1990
• Had hoped to succeed Mandela as president but Thabo Mbeki chosen instead
• Moved full-time into business in 1997, becoming one of South Africa's richest businessmen
• On Lonmin board during 2012 Marikana massacre
• Elected ANC leader in 2017
• Became acting president of South Africa on 14 February 2018

Source:http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-43070771