Jabob Zuma, leader of South Africa’s ruling party, on Monday appeared set to install Kgalema Motlanthe, his right-hand man, as caretaker president as he appealed for calm after the political coup that ended Thabo Mbeki’s nine-year rule.

“There is no reason for South Africans to be apprehensive,” said Mr Zuma, flanked by his most senior allies, in his first public comments since the governing African National Congress removed at the weekend the country’s president. “The transition will be managed with care and precision,” he added.