South Africa's ANC calls for President Zuma to resign

South African President Jacob Zuma has asked to be given more time after being recalled by his party, the ruling African National Congress.

ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule told reporters in Cape Town that Zuma had agreed to resign but had asked for three to six more months.

But the party's national executive committee, after a 13-hour meeting, felt more urgency was needed and has conveyed this to the 73-year-old.

Calls for Zuma to quit have grown since December, when he was replaced by Cyril Ramaphosa as leader of the ANC.

If Zuma continues to resist demands for his resignation, the ANC could propose a motion of no confidence, which could force him to leave office, if the National Assembly ratifies the process.

“The decision of the NEC is now final,” Magashule said. “That decision cannot change.

"We are not treating Jacob Zuma as a leader who is defiant. We will treat him with dignity. There is no need for us to humiliate him. I’m sure the president will respond tomorrow.”

The rand, having hit a month's high against the pound, was down 0.7% at £0.0601, while against the US dollar, having reached a two-and-a-half year high at the end of last month was on stronger earlier in the session but fell 0.45% to $0.0834 after the press conference yielded no decisive result.