South Africa's President Jacob Zuma arrives for the official announcement of the munincipal election results at the result centre in Pretoria, South Africa, August 6, 2016. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

Home » South Africa’s Zuma Says Elections were ‘Competently Run’

South Africa’s Zuma Says Elections were ‘Competently Run’

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – President Jacob Zuma said on Saturday that Wednesday’s municipal elections had been well run and proved that South Africa’s democracy was maturing, in his first public remarks since results were announced. Zuma’s ruling African National Congress suffered its worst results since the end of apartheid in 1994, undermined by high unemployment, economic […]

06-08-16 19:51
South Africa's President Jacob Zuma arrives for the official announcement of the munincipal election results at the result centre in Pretoria, South Africa, August 6, 2016. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – President Jacob Zuma said on Saturday that Wednesday’s municipal elections had been well run and proved that South Africa’s democracy was maturing, in his first public remarks since results were announced.

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma arrives for the official announcement of the munincipal election results at the result centre in Pretoria, South Africa, August 6, 2016. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma arrives for the official announcement of the munincipal election results at the result centre in Pretoria, South Africa, August 6, 2016. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

Zuma’s ruling African National Congress suffered its worst results since the end of apartheid in 1994, undermined by high unemployment, economic stagnation and scandals around Zuma himself.

“These elections were hotly contested, with competing parties passionately arguing their points of view in attempts to win the favour of the electorate. That is how it should be in a democracy,” Zuma said in his speech.

(Reporting by James Macharia and Nqobile Dludla; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

Read more: South Africans Give Ruling ANC Worst Election Results Ever