S.Africa’s Zuma drops bid to block graft report: lawyer

South African President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday abandoned a court bid to block a watchdog’s report into corruption allegations against him, as calls grew for him to stand down.

The surprise move in the High Court in Pretoria paved the way for the release of the probe into accusations that he allowed a wealthy Indian family undue political sway, including letting them choose some cabinet ministers.

“My instructions are to withdraw the application,” Zuma’s lawyer Anthea Platt told the court.

Former public ombudswoman Thuli Madonsela concluded the report last month, shortly before the expiry of her seven-year non-renewable term.

It was due to be released on October 14 until Zuma moved to block it.

The president has survived a string of damaging scandals, but faces increasing criticism as the economy has stalled and after the ruling ANC party suffered unprecedented losses in local polls.

Some factions of the ANC, former anti-apartheid activists and business leaders have all recently called for him to stand down before his term ends in 2019.

The Gupta family — brothers Ajay, Atul and Rajesh — built an empire in mining, transportation, technology and media after arriving in South Africa from India in the early 1990s.

One of Zuma’s sons, Duduzane, is their business partner.