Jacob Zuma, the new leader of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress, has claimed supremacy over his bitter rival, Thabo Mbeki, the country’s president, whom he ousted as party president last year, saying unequivocally that power resides in the ANC and not the presidency.

Speaking to the Financial Times, he all but dismissed Mr Mbeki and his cabinet ministers as lame ducks as he sought to stamp his authority on the country and address the bitter power struggle that has left business people worried the country is leaderless.