ANC succession battle in focus after South Africa's Zuma vote

FILE PHOTO: South Africa's President Jacob Zuma celebrates with his supporters after he survived a no-confidence motion in parliament vote in Cape Town, South Africa, August 8, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings /File Photo

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - President Jacob Zuma has survived a no-confidence vote in the South African parliament but the episode has exposed rifts in the ruling African National Congress (ANC) that could affect his ability to influence the choice of its next leader.

The motion fell short of the 201 votes need to oust Zuma. But in an unprecedented revolt, about 30 ANC MPs sided with the opposition in the secret ballot, leaving Zuma with what one commentator said might prove to be a Pyrrhic victory.