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The war of words on the ANC leadership candidates has spilled over into the Internet, with 59 Facebook groups set up for debate on the succession.

New groups are being created every day, some serious and others light-hearted and bizarre.

Many commenters trash or support the two main contenders current ANC president Thabo Mbeki and Deputy President Jacob Zuma. Many others are in favour of Tokyo Sexwale or Cyril Ramaphosa taking over the reins.

The groups are started as a forum for debate and discussion and any registered user may start a group and invite people to join.

The pro-Zuma groups flaunt such names as The Jacob Zuma Appreciation Society, Jacob Zuma is innocent (and Elvis crashed a UFO into the Loch Ness Monster), and Mshini Wam (Zuma's notorious call to "bring me my machinegun".

The anti-Zuma camp declares: "If Jacob Zuma becomes president, I'm getting the f*** out" and one of the largest groups opposing Zuma appeals: "Help us stop Jacob Zuma from becoming South Africa's next president".

Most groups don't engage in serious debate, but "Help us stop Jacob Zuma from becoming South Africa's next president" does. It claims to have more than 30 000 members.

Some groups post news articles on the issue along with pictures of the candidates.

A favourite in the photo sections are the numerous cartoons depicting Zuma in a shower.

Comments in some groups express strong support for businessman Cyril Ramaphosa becoming the ruling party's next president.

Comments include: "Cyril is the only way to go", "Politically mature and unifying" and "The only one who has both ability and drive to lead the country properly".

Most supporters of Tokyo Sexwale say his success in business and the potential economic growth he could bring to the country would be reason enough to vote him in as the next president.

But a fair number of members say that if Zuma should become the next president they will leave the country.

Members argue that Zuma's track record does not make him a credible candidate.

Other ANC supporters say they would not abandon their party or withdraw their support even if they did not agree with its leadership choice.

The adverse comments about Zuma include: "South Africa would end its prosperous growth" and "I would sacrifice my party for the sake of the stability of this country".