Pressure on S Africa's Zuma as ANC leadership meets

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma faced further opposition at a meeting of his party's top leadership yesterday but managed to sidestep a no-confidence vote after a turbulent three-day gathering.

The meeting in Pretoria comes as Zuma faces growing criticism within the ruling African National Congress, which sharpened after a March cabinet reshuffle when he sacked respected finance minister Pravin Gordhan.

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But plans to debate a no-confidence motion in Zuma were blocked by the chairman of the meeting of the ANC's executive committee (NEC), state-owned broadcaster SABC said.

Local media reports said several NEC members had tried to force a debate on his future.

Speaking to local media on Saturday, ANC secretary general Gwede said the leadership was aware of reports that there was going to be blood on the floor.

"We've not seen that blood on the floor -- yet," he said, while stressing that the removal of Zuma was "not an agenda item."

The party leadership was expected to wrap up its talks during the evening.