Mbeki pressured to resign

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Opposition party members are calling for South African President Thabo Mbeki to resign now that corruption charges against a rival have been dropped.

South Africa's High Court Friday dismissed a corruption case against Jacob Zuma on a technicality but said there was evidence the investigation against the African National Congress leader had been politically influenced, the BBC reported.

The ruling could clear the way for Zuma to become the ANC candidate to succeed Mbeki, whose term expires within a year, the British network said.

ANC members have long claimed the popular Zuma was a victim of a conspiracy fueled by Mbeki and his supporters.