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{UAH} South Africa: Jacob Zuma 'plans second home in Dubai'

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South Africa: Jacob Zuma 'plans second home in Dubai'

  • 53 minutes ago
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  • From the sectionAfrica
The skyline of Dubai is pictured from the Burj Khalifa (16 May 2017)Image copyrightAFP
Image captionPresident Zuma is reported to be considering a relocation to Dubai as pressure mounts at home

South Africa's embattled president Jacob Zuma has been planning to set up home in Dubai, according to emails published in the local media.

The reports suggest deepening ties between President Zuma and the controverisal Gupta business family.

But the president's spokesman has dismissed them as an utter fabrication.

Pressure on Mr Zuma has been mounting in recent months because of corruption scandals, cabinet sackings and his handling of the economy.

Senior members of Mr Zuma's governing ANC this weekend tabled a motion of no confidence against him - which has been put to a closed-door meeting of the party's National Executive Committee.

It is the second time in six months that party rebels have mounted such a challenge.

Under pressure

The BBC's Karen Allen in Johannesburg says the ANC now looks like it's in permanent fire fighting mode

Protesters hold signs criticising President Zuma's links to the Gupta family and to Russia in Port Elizabeth, South Africa (04 April 2017)Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image captionThe president has been criticised for what are alleged to be his close ties to the influential Gupta business family
Jacob ZumaImage copyrightREUTERS
Image captionPresident Jacob Zuma is coming under increasing pressure to step down

Emails between President Zuma's son Duduzane and figures from a company owned by the controversial Gupta family - who reportedly wield considerable influence over Mr Zuma - include a letter to the Abu Dabi royal family, our correspondent says.

"I am happy to inform you that my family has decided to make the UAE a second home," the president is quoted as saying. "It will be a great honour for me and my family to gain your patronage during our proposed residency in the UAE."

This opens up questions as to whether this is part of an exit strategy, with Mr Zuma's party appearing to be turning against him, our correspondent adds.

Protesters in Pretoria (file photo)Image copyrightREUTERS
Image captionSouth Africa has seen numerous protests to demand Mr Zuma's resignation

The reports were quickly dismissed by the presidential spokesman as "utter fabrication and mischief-making".

Meanwhile, it is thought that Zuma loyalists could well block any no confidence motion on technical grounds.

However, it echoes a similar motion from opposition parties being pushed through parliament which is now being examined by the constitutional court.

The president's successor is expected to be selected at a major conference of the ANC's top brass in December.

Until then the party looks set to limp from crisis to crisis, our correspondent says.

Mr Zuma's allies say he will remain in office until his term ends in 2019, but evidence of his unpopularity seems to be growing. He was forced to abandon a May Day rally this year after he was booed by workers demanding his resignation.

His ex-wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Deputy President Cyril Rampahosa are vying to succeed him.

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