Members and supporters of the South African opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, shout and gesture as they demonstrate against President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday in Pretoria. (Gianluigi Guercia/AFP/Getty Images)

South African President Jacob Zuma faced growing calls to resign Wednesday after the release of a state report that found possible evidence of corruption at top levels of a government whose leader has already been enmeshed in scandal.

The report by a state watchdog agency came out as thousands of South Africans demonstrated for the removal of Zuma, who apologized earlier this year after the Constitutional Court said he flouted the law in a scandal over millions of dollars in state spending on his rural home.

A commission of inquiry should be established to investigate separate allegations centered on Zuma’s close relationship with the Guptas, a business family of Indian immigrants that has been accused of meddling in the government for its own financial benefit, according to the report by the state public protector’s office.

Zuma is required to appoint the judicial commission, though it would be “headed by a judge solely selected by the Chief Justice who shall provide one name to the President,” the report said.

The commission would have six months to complete its findings and make recommendations, a process that could slow calls for Zuma to quit. Opposition parties, however, said they could push for a vote of no confidence in the president in coming weeks.

A similar vote this year was rejected because the ruling African National Congress has a majority in parliament, though some ANC members have since become openly critical of Zuma.

The release of the 355-page report by former public protector Thuli Madonsela, who completed a seven-year term last month, was delayed in court because of efforts by Zuma and associates to block its release.

The president “was not afforded a reasonable opportunity to provide meaningful input into the investigation and asked the court to be given an opportunity to do so,” Zuma’s office said in a statement. It said he should have been provided with “incriminating evidence” before answering questions from the watchdog agency, and should have been allowed to question witnesses who were interviewed for the report.

The report explores conduct by Zuma and other state officials in connection with allegations that the Guptas were involved in the removal and appointment of cabinet ministers and directors of state-owned firms.

The Guptas have denied that they illegally tried to obtain state contracts and other benefits, and previously said they were the victims of hate speech.