拉马福萨可能成为南非新总统

African National Congress leader Cyril Ramaphosa is poised to be chosen Thursday by parliament as South Africa's new president.

The chief whip, or vote counter, of the ruling ANC party issued a statement that the country's chief justice will be on hand "to officiate in the election of the new president of South Africa." Ramaphosa is in line to ascend to the South African presidency as ANC president, a post he assumed in December.

The expected election of Ramaphosa comes a day after embattled President Jacob Zuma resigned "with immediate effect."

The 75-year-old Zuma stepped down Wednesday under pressure from ANC party leaders, who decided earlier this week to recall Zuma after nine years in office that have been marred by economic stagnation and numerous allegations of corruption.

The allegations include charges that he allowed the powerful Gupta family to influence cabinet appointments and that he used some $20 million in public funds for improvements at his private estate.

During a 30-minute address to the nation, Zuma said it was "unfair" the ANC had told him to resign.

南非非洲人国民大会党主席西里尔·拉马福萨星期四可能被南非议会选为南非的新总统。

执政的非国大负责计票的党鞭发布声明说，南非最高法官将到场认可南非新总统的选举。即将成为南非总统的西里尔·拉马福萨去年12月接任非国大主席。

在拉马福萨预计当选南非总统的前一天，身陷丑闻的祖马总统宣布辞职，立即生效。

75岁的祖马在非国大领导层的压力下在星期三下台。非国大领导层本星期早些时候认定，在祖马执政九年期间，南非经济停滞，腐败指称不断，因此罢免他的总统职务。

腐败指称包括他允许有钱有势的古普塔家族影响内阁任命以及他使用大约2千万美元的公共资金修缮他的私宅。

祖马在向南非全国发表的30分钟讲话中表示，非国大强迫他辞职，这不公平。