SA elections scheduled for May 7.

South Africa will go to the polls on May 7, President Zuma announced on Friday, with his African National Congress likely to easily extend its two-decade rule, despite rising discontent among its poverty stricken grassroots supporters.

Zuma himself has lost popularity amid allegations of using public funds for private purposes, and the announcement of the election date came as violent demonstrations by residents in largely black townships,against poor government services spread

“We have worked hard to build a peaceful and stable South Africa from the ruins of apartheid violence, divisions and hatred,” Zuma said in a brief statement announcing the election on Friday.

About twenty four million South African have already registered to vote on May 7.