South Africa's Zuma says to return land to blacks as vote looms

South African President Jacob Zuma addresses supporters of his ruling African National Congress (ANC), at a rally to launch the ANC's local government election manifesto in Port Elizabeth, April 16, 2016.

SOUTH AFRICA: South African President Jacob Zuma said on Friday his government would push through a new law to compensate the black majority for stolen land, stepping up populist rhetoric before August local polls where his ruling ANC faces a tough challenge.

The embattled president threw his weight behind a bill making its way through South Africa's parliament to let the state make compulsory purchases of land to redress racial disparities in land ownership.