Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa 18 Dec elected president of ruling African National Congress, succeeding President Zuma and beating former minister and former African Union chair Nkosozana Dlamini-Zuma with 2,440 votes to 2,261.

President Zuma 8 Aug narrowly survived his ninth no confidence vote in parliament (198 to 177 votes in first secret ballot) amid rising public anger over allegations of corruption and state capture, and major splits within ruling African National Congress (ANC) party; over 30 ANC MPs voted for his removal. Vote preceded by large-scale anti-Zuma protests across country. Zuma faces further pressure including impeachment case at constitutional court early Sept and appeal case mid-Sept on whether to reinstate 783 fraud and corruption charges against him.

President Zuma 31 March replaced five cabinet ministers and nine deputy ministers; Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and other high-ranking members of ruling African National Congress criticised move, particularly sacking of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan. Opposition parties same day requested parliament speaker to hold “no confidence” vote on Zuma.

Govt 19 Oct notified UN it will withdraw from ICC citing court’s alleged bias against Africa and claiming ICC obligations frustrate conflict prevention.

Violence continued in run-up to 3 Aug municipal elections: in KwaZulu-Natal province unidentified gunmen 18 July killed local candidate for ruling African National Congress (ANC); at least twelve other ANC members reported killed in last two months.

Inter- and intra-party violence and intimidation increased in run-up to 3 Aug local elections, affecting 80 locales in eight provinces. Ruling African National Congress (ANC)’s 20 June selection of Thoko Didiza, non-local former minister, as its mayoral candidate for Tshwane metro area outside Pretoria instead of current mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa sparked three days of violent protests, at least five people killed and many injured; residents said ANC leadership imposed mayoral candidate.

Surge in attacks against foreigners in Kwazulu Natal and Gauteng provinces following late-March speech by Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini accusing them of stealing opportunities from South Africans; at least seven killed, thousands displaced, and over 300 arrested for involvement in attacks. Defence minister 21 April said soldiers deployed to help police restore order. Attacks met with regional condemnation: Malawi, Zimbabwe and Somalia repatriated nationals, Nigeria withdrew envoys from Pretoria.

Concerns over possible mass deportation of Zimbabweans living in South Africa illegally, after only 251,000 immigrants out of estimated more than 1 million applied for proper documentation by 31 Dec deadline.

ANC proposing new laws to create tribunal to regulate media and outlaw leaking or publication of information deemed classifiable by govt; media groups charge threats to press freedom.

Reports of attacks on migrant workers in Cape Town, Johannesburg townships saw deployment of police and army reinforcements to quell violence, with fears of repeat of 2008 deadly xenophobic attacks. Several injured, scores of Zimbabweans and other immigrants reportedly leaving country.