South Africa's Zuma under pressure as more influence peddling reports surface

South African president Jacob Zuma. More senior South African public figures have come out to accuse a wealthy Indian business family with close ties to President Zuma of exerting undue influence, as top ANC officials met to discuss the most serious political crisis in nearly a decade. PHOTO | FILE

More senior South African public figures came out on Friday to accuse a business family with close ties to President Jacob Zuma of exerting undue influence, as top ANC officials met to discuss the most serious political crisis in nearly a decade.

The scandal comes at a time when the ruling African National Congress is at a crucial stage with local elections after May, in which it will face stiff competition from the opposition in the economic hub of Johannesburg and capital Pretoria.