afrol News, 10 February - South Africa general elections are set for 22 April, country's president Kgalema Motlanthe announced today, despite a court ruling that favours foreign based voters. South Africa will hold the fourth election since the collapse of apartheid 15 years ago.

President Motlanthe told the National Assembly in Cape Town he had agreed on the date with the Independent Electoral Commission in all the nine provinces. "With this coming election, the maturisation of our democracy receives yet another shot in the arm," he said when making the announcement.

The country's popular ruling African National Congress, which led the fight to end apartheid, is expected to easily win the election, but with the emergence of a new party formed by ANC faction, the expectations are that this year will be exciting with SA's strongest party facing another hurdle of Congress of the People.

COPE is expected to give ANC tough time in the elections which could deny the ANC a two-thirds parliamentary majority which enables the ruling party to easily push through legislative changes and developments in the country.

ANC leader Jacob Zuma and the party's presidential candidate who is currently facing multiple corruption, fraud and money laundering charges is expected to succeed President Motlanthe.

Mr Motlanthe, 58, became South Africa's third post apartheid president in September last year following the ousting of former President Thabo Mbeki 66, by the ruling African National Congress.

The African National Congress has won South Africa's three previous elections, and secured almost 70 percent of the vote in the last vote in 1994.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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