Africa

South Africa's President Vows To Rid Party Of Corruption

President Ramaphosa said the ANC "will do good by its people" ​and he promised not to appoint leaders who work "to fill their own pockets."

South Africa's President Vows To Rid Party Of Corruption
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SMS

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is vowing to end corruption within his own party.

Ramaphosa claimed victory Saturday as his party, the African National Congress, won South Africa's parliamentary elections. Despite the win, the ANC's 57 percent vote tally was its lowest in its 25 years in power. Turnout was also low at 65 percent, signaling voters' frustrations over government corruption and high unemployment.

During his victory speech Sunday, Ramaphosa said the ANC "will do good by its people" and promised he would not appoint leaders who work "to fill their own pockets."

"So, comrades, we are going to focus on discipline, and unity and renewal. We need to renew our movement, so that, comrades, we clean it of all the bad tendencies. We clean it of all the deviant tendencies. The ANC deserves the best," Ramaphosa said.

Ramaphosa became the president in 2018 after predecessor Jacob Zuma stepped down amid corruption allegations.