FACTBOX - Key issues in South Africa election

(Reuters) - South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) is widely expected to win a general election on Wednesday with party leader Jacob Zuma becoming the country's next president.

Below are key issues in South Africa, the continent's biggest economy and a regional diplomatic power.

ECONOMY

-- The economy shrank by 1.8 percent in Q4 2008, as manufacturing output plunged in the wake of the global financial crisis.

-- Manufacturing output fell 15 percent in February, a record year-on-year drop, having slumped by 12.9 percent in the year to January, making the first recession in 17 years likely.

-- Inflation has been above the central bank's 3 to 6 percent target band since April 2007. It peaked in August 2008 and stood at 8.6 percent year-on-year in February.

CORRUPTION

-- Corruption cases have tainted South African politics. Prosecutors this month dropped corruption charges against Zuma on a technicality. He denies any wrongdoing but the question of his innocence still hangs over South Africans, who have grown tired of ANC graft scandals. Suspended national police chief Jackie Selebi faces trial for corruption and fraud.

CRIME