Supporters of ousted South African president Thabo Mbeki threatened yesterday to split from the ruling African National Congress (ANC), accusing its leaders of abandoning democratic ideals.
“It seems that today we are serving divorce papers,” former defense minister Mosiuoa Lekota told a press conference broadcast on radio.
He accused ANC leaders of losing sight of the party’s ideals that spearheaded the struggle against apartheid.
PHOTO: EPA
“We intend within a short period of time ... to call a national convention of comrades or something of that nature to determine how to proceed to defend democracy in this country,” Lekota said.
“If the leadership of the ANC continues in their arrogance ... we will proceed with the next step,” he said.
When asked if he planned to form a new political party, Lekota said: “It seems to be that it will be leading logically in that direction.”
He added that the group would be prepared to contest elections next year, when ANC leader Jacob Zuma is expected to stand as the party’s candidate for president.
“Of course we have to contest the elections next year if we take this road,” he said.
Mluleki George, former deputy defense minister, said the decision on whether to split from the ANC was a wrenching choice for its long-time members, many of whom were jailed or exiled during the apartheid era.
“Most of us have been in the ANC for the better part of our lives,” George said. “I must say, it was a painful decision.”
The ANC ordered Mbeki to resign as president on Sept. 20, the culmination of a long-running power struggle with Zuma.
His resignation sparked widespread rumors of a split within the party, whose ranks include business executives, union leaders and a variety of activists whose bonds were forged in the struggle against white-minority rule.
But 14 years after bringing democracy to South Africa and making Nelson Mandela the nation’s first black president, the party’s unity has frayed — most dramatically in the feud between Mbeki and Zuma.
Lekota accused the ANC’s leadership under Zuma of using tribalistic slogans, singing songs that advocate violence, and seeking to intimidate judges.
“The ANC is not its name. It is its policies ... its commitment to the future and to the democracy of this country,” he said. “The current leadership have shown that it is not the ANC.”
Zuma has downplayed speculation of a split, telling a gathering of black business leaders late on Tuesday that any splinter group would be short-lived.
“I don’t think it would have a very long life span, I would be surprised,” Zuma said.
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