Zuma acknowledges ANC defeat in municipal elections

South Africa

President Jacob Zuma has acknowledged South Africa’s local elections were keenly contested as his governing African National Congress (ANC) party recorded its worst results since the end of apartheid.

The ANC lost control of the capital, Pretoria, and its majority in the country’s largest city and economic center, Johannesburg.

“These elections were hotly contested with competing parties passionately arguing their points of view in attempts to win the favour of the electorate. That is how it should be in a democracy.We congratulate the people too on the outcome as they are the real victors, their will must prevail,” said Zuma.

Zuma has been plagued by a series of scandal since taking office seven years ago. In one instance, he was found guilty of misappropriating tax payers’ money to renovate his private home.

Unemployment has risen to 27 percent during Zuma’s term in office, and economic analysts are predicting zero growth in the country’s gross domestic product for 2016.

During Zuma’s speech anti-rape activists staged a silent protest in front of him, while his security detail stood nearby, apparently surprised by the protest.

The four women dressed in black, held up placards making references to a 2006 rape allegation against Jacob Zuma in which he was acquitted.