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Mbeki ally to form breakaway ANC Mbeki ally threatens to split ANC
(20 minutes later)
Former South African Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota is expected shortly to announce a breakaway party from the ruling African National Congress (ANC). Former South African Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota has warned that some members of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) may leave the party.
It is reported that Mr Lekota is being joined by other ANC members loyal to former President Thabo Mbeki, who was forced to resign last month. "This is probably the parting of the ways," he said, announcing a conference in the next few weeks where a decision may be taken to split from the ANC.
The ANC is divided between supporters of Mr Mbeki and Jacob Zuma, who won party elections last year. Mr Lekota is a close ally of former President Thabo Mbeki who was forced to step down last month.
General elections are due in South Africa in the first half of next year.General elections are due in South Africa in the first half of next year.
Mr Lekota, a former ANC chairman, last week wrote an open letter, in which he accused the new ANC leadership of damaging democracy. The governing party is divided between supporters of Mr Mbeki and Jacob Zuma, who won party elections last year.
Mr Lekota, also known as "Terror" because of his prowess on the football field, is a former ANC chairman.
"We hope that sense may still prevail in us... If not, there's no going back," he warned, Reuters news agency quotes him as saying.
Last week, Mr Lekota wrote an open letter, in which he accused the new ANC leadership of damaging democracy.
You can't believe in the ANC and its policies so deeply, and then form an organisation that repeats the same policies ANC leader Jacob ZumaYou can't believe in the ANC and its policies so deeply, and then form an organisation that repeats the same policies ANC leader Jacob Zuma
Transport Minister Jeff Radebe responded by saying Mr Lekota and those who supported him were free to leave the party.Transport Minister Jeff Radebe responded by saying Mr Lekota and those who supported him were free to leave the party.
Mr Mbeki stood down after a judge suggested he may have interfered in the prosecution of Mr Zuma on corruption charges.Mr Mbeki stood down after a judge suggested he may have interfered in the prosecution of Mr Zuma on corruption charges.
The former South African leader strongly denies this and has appealed against the judge's ruling. The former South African leader, who was regarded by Mr Zuma's supporters as aloof and too pro-business, strongly denies this and has appealed against the judge's ruling.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Johannesburg says Mr Mbeki is not expected to take a leading role in the new formation. Responding on Tuesday evening to rumours of a split, Mr Zuma said he thought it would be short-lived.
Responding to rumours about the split, Mr Zuma said he thought it would be short-lived. "I don't think it would have a very long life span, I would be surprised," he said, the South African Press Association reports.
"I don't think it would have a very long life span, I would be surprised," he said on Tuesday evening, the South African Press Association reports.
"You can't believe in the ANC and its policies so deeply, and then form an organisation that repeats the same policies, that would be funny," he said."You can't believe in the ANC and its policies so deeply, and then form an organisation that repeats the same policies, that would be funny," he said.
Deep rootsDeep roots
The BBC's Africa analyst Martin Plaut since its foundation in 1912, the ANC has shown an extraordinary degree of unity.The BBC's Africa analyst Martin Plaut since its foundation in 1912, the ANC has shown an extraordinary degree of unity.
Thabo Mbeki was seen by critics as aloof and pro-businessThabo Mbeki was seen by critics as aloof and pro-business
Where other liberation movements crumbled, it managed to stick together, despite the difficult years it spent in exile during the struggle against apartheid, he says.Where other liberation movements crumbled, it managed to stick together, despite the difficult years it spent in exile during the struggle against apartheid, he says.
He says although Mr Mbeki's dismissal was the spark that ignited this rebellion its roots are deeper. He says although Mr Mbeki's dismissal was the spark that ignited this rebellion, its roots are deeper.
In Mr Lekota's open letter to the party, he attacked the ANC for allowing members of the South African Communist Party (SACP) to take over leading positions.In Mr Lekota's open letter to the party, he attacked the ANC for allowing members of the South African Communist Party (SACP) to take over leading positions.
"The ANC is not the SACP and the SACP is NOT the ANC.""The ANC is not the SACP and the SACP is NOT the ANC."
The SACP is in a formal alliance with the ANC.The SACP is in a formal alliance with the ANC.
It was an alliance that served both well during the liberation struggle, when the SACP provided finances and weapons to the ANC from the Soviet Union, Mr Plaut says. It was an alliance that served both well during the struggle against apartheid, when the SACP provided finances and weapons to the ANC from the Soviet Union, Mr Plaut says.
Mr Lekota argues that the distinction between the parties has now been blurred, with the ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe also the chairman of the SACP.Mr Lekota argues that the distinction between the parties has now been blurred, with the ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe also the chairman of the SACP.