Survey shows opposition to Zuma’s ambitions

Sixty-four percent of South Africans don’t want Jacob Zuma to become president. This is the result of a survey commissioned by the Sunday Times. A survey analyst says Zuma's rape trial has had a negative impact on South Africans residing in metropolitan areas’ perceptions of both the ANC and the government. But the survey showed President Thabo Mbeki had emerged relatively unscathed from the saga. According to the Markinor survey, 49 percent of respondents agreed with the not-guilty verdict in Zuma's rape trial. Forty percent didn't and 11 percent were not sure. Fifty-one percent of those questioned accepted Zuma's apology for his conduct.

Meanwhile, the ANC's National Executive Committee meets in Johannesburg on Sunday to discuss Zuma’s future. Zuma requested to be relieved from his duties in the party for the duration of his rape trial. But after his acquittal, Kgalema Motlanthe, the ANC secretary-general, said Zuma could not automatically resume his duties as deputy-president of the party. It is reported that Zuma is expected to attend the NEC meeting, contrary to earlier reports that he will not attend. The NEC members are also likely to discuss the so-called hoax emails that implicated some ANC officials in trying to discredit Zuma.