South African President Jacob Zuma on
Wednesday abandoned a court bid to block a watchdog's report into
corruption allegations against him, as calls grew for him to stand down.
The surprise move in the High Court
in Pretoria paved the way for the release of the probe into accusations
that he allowed a wealthy Indian family undue political sway, including
letting them choose some Cabinet ministers.
"My instructions are to withdraw the application," President Zuma's lawyer Anthea Platt told the court.
The expiry
Former public ombudswoman Thuli
Madonsela concluded the report last month, shortly before the expiry of
her seven-year non-renewable term.
It was due to be released on October 14 until President Zuma moved to block it.
The president has survived a string
of damaging scandals, but faces increasing criticism as the economy has
stalled and after the ruling ANC party suffered unprecedented losses in
local polls.
Business partner
Some factions of the ANC, former
anti-apartheid activists and business leaders have all recently called
for him to stand down before his term ends in 2019.
The Gupta family — brothers Ajay,
Atul and Rajesh — built an empire in mining, transportation, technology
and media after arriving in South Africa from India in the early 1990s.
One of President Zuma's sons, Duduzane, is their business partner.
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