The criminal investigation in Jacob Zuma should be abandoned in view of his election *1 as ANC leader, the SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco) said on Tuesday.

"We believe the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) matter against Zuma is witch hunt," said SANCO national organising secretary Sello Molefe.

"Today the NPA has this story, tomorrow they have a totally new one."

Zuma took over the leadership of the African National Congress from Thabo Mbeki on Tuesday night by beating him with 2329 against 1505 votes in their race for the party presidency.

The result was announced to ANC delegates at the party's national conference in Polokwane, Limpopo.

Zuma still faces the possibility of the NPA taking him back to court on corruption charges.

The charges, thrown out of court last year without a hearing, centre on his relationship with businessman Schabir Shaik.

Shaik was found guilty in 2005 of soliciting an arms company bribe for Zuma and jailed for an effective 15 years.

Mbeki sacked Zuma as deputy president of the country soon after the Shaik verdict.

With acknowledgement to Sapa.