Votes are being counted in South Africa’s general election, with President Cyril Ramaphosa hoping to prevent a slide in support for the governing African National Congress, ANC.
With results declared in some twenty three per cent of districts, the ANC has won about fifty five per cent of the ballot well ahead of the opposition Democratic Alliance on twenty six per cent.
However, the ruling party took six two per cent at the last election in 2014.
Anger over the economy and corruption may have eroded its appeal.
Almost two-thirds of the electorate voted in the twin parliamentary and provincial elections, and full results are due on Saturday.
Casting his vote in the country’s sixth democratic national election since apartheid ended twenty five years ago, President Ramaphosa acknowledged the rampant corruption of recent years.
