South African President re-elected leader of ruling ANC party

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has won re-election as leader of the ruling African National Congress (ANC).

The results showed an unexpectedly tight race between Mr Ramaphosa and former health minister Zweli Mkhize.

The vote on the party leadership took much longer than scheduled and stretched into the weekend.

The crucial ANC meeting has been marked by bitter divisions and scandals surrounding Mr Ramaphosa, Mr Mkhez and other leaders.

Mr Ramaphosa acknowledged at the opening of the conference on Friday that his government was partly responsible for the country’s electricity crisis. He has vowed that his government will ensure an adequate supply of electricity in the coming years by buying more renewable energy.

The president also pledged that his administration would continue to fight corruption even as he became embroiled in the scandal.

Mr Ramaphosa has been facing calls for him to resign after a damning parliamentary report said he may have breached anti-corruption laws by stashing undeclared US dollar cash on his Phala Phala farm.

The report questioned the source of the funds and asked why the incident was not reported to the police.