The coalition opposed to President Joseph Kabila say police have used sharp point ammunition and at least 50 people have died.

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It appears no one was killed when the political parties’ headquarters were burned down.

Activists  defied a government ban on protests, marching on the electoral commission to demand that a poll be held before the end of the year when President Joseph Kabila’s term in office expires.

Authorities say they’ve struck a deal with some opposition parties to delay local elections until the electoral rolls can be completed.

However, other parties say this is a ruse by Kabila to cling to power.

The post Opposition parties’ headquarters torched in DRC appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

The South African President says the African National Congress will approach the elections like an army.

The country’s governing party faces its toughest contest since coming to power 22 years ago.

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President Jacob Zuma was speaking at yesterday’s (Monday) signing of the Independendent Electoral Commission code of conduct south of Pretoria.

The 13 political parties represented in the South Africa  Parliament have pledged their commitment to abide by the rules set out by the Electoral Commission.

Zuma says the ruling party is committed to helping give South Africa a successful local government election.

The ANC reaffirms its commitment to political tolerance and peaceful co-existence with other parties.

Zuma says they look forward to a robust and peaceful electioneering period.

No advantage will be given to any party during the election process.

The ANC will canvas and participate equally.

Victors will be congratulated as will those who do not win.

For the first time since winning power in 1994, the ANC stands a chance of losing its majority in Johannesburg, Pretoria  and Port Elizabeth.

Opposition parties say they will be keeping a close eye on the electoral body.

Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane says he’s not confident the IEC will fulfill its electoral mandate.

The post President Zuma promises robust but peaceful electioneering appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

The leadership of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress has commended Zuma humbling himself to the people and unanimously backed his continued leadership of the party and country.

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President Jacob Zuma’s used an extraordinary address to the nation to defended himself after a seismic court judgment slamming his initial rebuff  to the Public Protector ordering him to repay public funds used

for non-security improvements to his private residence.

In what what was widely speculated to be his resignation speech, Zuma  admitted his conduct was inconsistent

with the constitution.

(Take in Jacob clip here )

Secretary General of the ruling African National Congress  Gwede Mantashe has welcomed Zuma’s apology.

(Take in Gwede clip here)

Mantashe says the party will no tear itself apart by bowing to the chorus of calls for Zuma to step down.

Leading these is opposition Democratic Alliance, whose leader Mmusi Maimani says Zuma’s deliberately trying to mislead the public.

(Take in Mai clip here)

Political analysts say the municipal elections due next month will be a good indicator of whether Zuma has become a liability for the ANC and whether he will survive until the party’s  elective conference at the end of next year.

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