Jacob Zuma ordered to stand down as South Africa's President by his ANC party

• Video report by ITV News Africa Correspondent John Ray

Jacob Zuma has been ordered to stand down as the President of South Africa by his ruling ANC party.

Ace Magashule, secretary-general of the ANC, says the party's national executive committee has decided to "recall" Mr Zuma.

The beleaguered president has been discredited by corruption scandals but has been clinging onto power.

Mr Magashule said they had broken the news to Mr Zuma this morning but had not yet had a response.

"I don't know what will happen, but let's leave it to President Jacob Zuma," he told a press conference.

The ANC has not set any firm deadline for him to go, but party leaders believe it must be done "with urgency" to restore confidence to South Africans, a press conference was told.

South African media reported that Mr Zuma has been told he must publicly stand down within 48 hours.

Opposition figures have demanded a vote on the matter be held this week.

Deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa said he recognised South Africans want a resolution to the leadership crisis and that the ruling party committee will provide it.

Following the committee meeting, a source told Reuters: "We decided to recall Zuma. He hasn't been told yet. Cyril went to speak with him.

"The discussions were tense and difficult on whether to recall Zuma."

Local media said that Ramaphosa told Zuma he has 48 hours to quit.

During his tenure in power Zuma has become embroiled in corruption allegations.

He has also been blamed for the country's economic woes, where unemployment has grown to 30% and more than 55% of the country lives below the poverty line.

His current term is due to end in mid-2019.