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Ex-minister barred for ANC threat | Ex-minister barred for ANC threat |
(about 15 hours later) | |
South Africa's ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), has suspended a former minister who had threatened to split the party. | South Africa's ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), has suspended a former minister who had threatened to split the party. |
Mosiuoa Lekota resigned as defence minister after Thabo Mbeki stood down as president last month, before calling for the creation of a new party. | Mosiuoa Lekota resigned as defence minister after Thabo Mbeki stood down as president last month, before calling for the creation of a new party. |
He was suspended for disciplinary reasons, party officials said. | He was suspended for disciplinary reasons, party officials said. |
The party has been dogged by splits between backers of the former president and the current leader, Jacob Zuma. | The party has been dogged by splits between backers of the former president and the current leader, Jacob Zuma. |
Mr Zuma won a bitter contest to replace Mr Mbeki as party leader in 2007. | Mr Zuma won a bitter contest to replace Mr Mbeki as party leader in 2007. |
We live in a democracy, so who does he [Zuma]want to shoot? Mosiuoa Lekota | |
Analysts say the move to discipline Mosiuoa Lekota makes an official schism within the ANC more likely. | Analysts say the move to discipline Mosiuoa Lekota makes an official schism within the ANC more likely. |
But any new party is unlikely to be a major power unless it attracts figures with considerable political weight, they add. | But any new party is unlikely to be a major power unless it attracts figures with considerable political weight, they add. |
No compromise | No compromise |
In a statement, the ANC said it was suspending Mr Lekota with immediate effect. | In a statement, the ANC said it was suspending Mr Lekota with immediate effect. |
"The ANC cannot allow its structures to be used for purposes of undermining and betraying the organisation," the statement read. | "The ANC cannot allow its structures to be used for purposes of undermining and betraying the organisation," the statement read. |
Thabo Mbeki was seen by critics as aloof and pro-business | Thabo Mbeki was seen by critics as aloof and pro-business |
"The ANC will take similar action against any other members who have indicated in words or action their intention to establish a party in opposition to the ANC," the statement added. | "The ANC will take similar action against any other members who have indicated in words or action their intention to establish a party in opposition to the ANC," the statement added. |
The suspension was announced on Monday after a spokesman for Mr Lekota said the former minister and party officials had failed to work through their differences, the Reuters news agency reported. | The suspension was announced on Monday after a spokesman for Mr Lekota said the former minister and party officials had failed to work through their differences, the Reuters news agency reported. |
At a meeting in Port Elizabeth, Mr Lekota mocked Mr Zuma on Monday, reports Die Burger newspaper. | |
The ANC rebel imitated the party leader's style of dancing and his frequent singing of the anti-apartheid anthem "Umshini Wami" (Bring Me My Machine-Gun). | |
"We live in a democracy, so who does he want to shoot?" Mr Lekota asked, the paper reports. | |
He also said the ANC could not discipline him unless he had the opportunity to defend himself. | |
Mr Lekota has previously said a split within the ANC was "inevitable", and has described the party's leaders as "arrogant". | Mr Lekota has previously said a split within the ANC was "inevitable", and has described the party's leaders as "arrogant". |
He has been an outspoken critic of the new leadership, saying ANC chiefs foster tribalism and glorify violence. | |
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 strongly denies this and has appealed against the judge's ruling. |
Mr Lekota was one of several ministers who resigned along with Mr Mbeki. | Mr Lekota was one of several ministers who resigned along with Mr Mbeki. |
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