The ruling African National Congress is undermining South Africa's constitution and putting its young democracy at risk, according to the leader of a breakaway party from the ANC.

Mosiuoa "Terror" Lekota, the former defence minister who left the ANC last year to form the Congress of the People, believes that the governing party will - after the forthcoming general election that it is certain to win - use its commanding political influence to save Jacob Zuma, its presidential candidate, from prosecution on corruption charges.