South Africa's ANC leader vows to fight graft in 'own ranks'

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa's ruling African National Congress must end corruption "within our own ranks" as it faces its weakest point since taking power at the end of apartheid, the party's new leader and the country's likely next president said early Thursday.

Cyril Ramaphosa, once Nelson Mandela's preferred successor, made his first speech as party leader while challenged with reviving one of Africa's largest economies and the public's trust in the ANC ahead of 2019 elections.

Anger has grown over multiple allegations of corruption against President Jacob Zuma, and some observers had said the choice of Zuma's successor to lead the ANC could split Africa's oldest liberation movement.