African National Congress leader Cyril Ramaphosa is poised to be chosen Thursday by parliament as South Africa's new president.

The chief whip, or vote counter, of the ruling ANC party issued a statement that the country's chief justice will be on hand "to officiate in the election of the new president of South Africa." Ramaphosa is in line to ascend to the South African presidency as ANC president, a post he assumed in December.

The expected election of Ramaphosa comes a day after embattled President Jacob Zuma resigned "with immediate effect."

The 75-year-old Zuma stepped down Wednesday under pressure from ANC party leaders, who decided earlier this week to recall Zuma after nine years in office that have been marred by economic stagnation and numerous allegations of corruption.

The allegations include charges that he allowed the powerful Gupta family to influence cabinet appointments and that he used some $20 million in public funds for improvements at his private estate.

During a 30-minute address to the nation, Zuma said it was "unfair" the ANC had told him to resign.

南非非洲人國民大會黨主席西里爾·拉馬福薩星期四可能被南非議會選為南非的新總統。

執政的非國大負責計票的黨鞭發布聲明說，南非最高法官將到場認可南非新總統的選舉。即將成為南非總統的西里爾·拉馬福薩去年12月接任非國大主席。

在拉馬福薩預計當選南非總統的前一天，身陷丑聞的祖馬總統宣布辭職，立即生效。

75歲的祖馬在非國大領導層的壓力下在星期三下臺。非國大領導層本星期早些時候認定，在祖馬執政九年期間，南非經濟停滯，腐敗指稱不斷，因此罷免他的總統職務。

腐敗指稱包括他允許有錢有勢的古普塔家族影響內閣任命以及他使用大約2千萬美元的公共資金修繕他的私宅。

祖馬在向南非全國發表的30分鐘講話中表示，非國大強迫他辭職，這不公平。

African National Congress leader Cyril Ramaphosa is poised to be chosen Thursday by parliament as South Africa's new president.

The chief whip, or vote counter, of the ruling ANC party issued a statement that the country's chief justice will be on hand "to officiate in the election of the new president of South Africa." Ramaphosa is in line to ascend to the South African presidency as ANC president, a post he assumed in December.

The expected election of Ramaphosa comes a day after embattled President Jacob Zuma resigned "with immediate effect."

The 75-year-old Zuma stepped down Wednesday under pressure from ANC party leaders, who decided earlier this week to recall Zuma after nine years in office that have been marred by economic stagnation and numerous allegations of corruption.

The allegations include charges that he allowed the powerful Gupta family to influence cabinet appointments and that he used some $20 million in public funds for improvements at his private estate.

During a 30-minute address to the nation, Zuma said it was "unfair" the ANC had told him to resign.

南非非洲人國民大會黨主席西里爾·拉馬福薩星期四可能被南非議會選為南非的新總統。

執政的非國大負責計票的黨鞭發布聲明說，南非最高法官將到場認可南非新總統的選舉。即將成為南非總統的西里爾·拉馬福薩去年12月接任非國大主席。

在拉馬福薩預計當選南非總統的前一天，身陷丑聞的祖馬總統宣布辭職，立即生效。

75歲的祖馬在非國大領導層的壓力下在星期三下臺。非國大領導層本星期早些時候認定，在祖馬執政九年期間，南非經濟停滯，腐敗指稱不斷，因此罷免他的總統職務。

腐敗指稱包括他允許有錢有勢的古普塔家族影響內閣任命以及他使用大約2千萬美元的公共資金修繕他的私宅。

祖馬在向南非全國發表的30分鐘講話中表示，非國大強迫他辭職，這不公平。