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| ANC heavyweight joins rebellion | ANC heavyweight joins rebellion |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The ex-premier of South Africa's Gauteng province has resigned from the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to join those calling for a new party. | |
| Mbhazima Shilowa said the rebels, led by ex-Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota, would hold a convention on 2 November. | |
| Mr Shilowa resigned as premier in protest at the ousting last month of Thabo Mbeki as president. | Mr Shilowa resigned as premier in protest at the ousting last month of Thabo Mbeki as president. |
| The ANC has been riven by splits between Mr Mbeki's supporters and those of ANC leader Jacob Zuma. | The ANC has been riven by splits between Mr Mbeki's supporters and those of ANC leader Jacob Zuma. |
| Mr Zuma won a bitter contest to replace Mr Mbeki in December, and is favourite to become South African president after elections next year. | Mr Zuma won a bitter contest to replace Mr Mbeki in December, and is favourite to become South African president after elections next year. |
| 'Volunteer-in-chief' | 'Volunteer-in-chief' |
| Observers have said a split in the ANC has appeared increasingly likely, though a new party is unlikely to become a major power in South Africa unless it attracts political heavyweights. | Observers have said a split in the ANC has appeared increasingly likely, though a new party is unlikely to become a major power in South Africa unless it attracts political heavyweights. |
| I have taken this decision knowing fully well that I will be vilified Mbhazima Shilowa class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7659713.stm">Turning their backs on the ANC | |
| The ANC suspended Mr Lekota this week, saying it would take similar action against anyone else from the party who threatened to establish an opposition movement. | The ANC suspended Mr Lekota this week, saying it would take similar action against anyone else from the party who threatened to establish an opposition movement. |
| Mr Shilowa broke the news of his defection at a press conference in Pretoria. | Mr Shilowa broke the news of his defection at a press conference in Pretoria. |
| "I have decided to resign my membership from the ANC with immediate effect and to lend my support to the initiative by making myself available on a full-time basis as a convener and volunteer-in-chief together with comrade Mosiuoa," he said. | "I have decided to resign my membership from the ANC with immediate effect and to lend my support to the initiative by making myself available on a full-time basis as a convener and volunteer-in-chief together with comrade Mosiuoa," he said. |
| "I have taken this decision knowing fully well that I will be vilified," he said. | "I have taken this decision knowing fully well that I will be vilified," he said. |
| Mr Lekota had accused the ANC's new leadership of arrogance, saying a split within the movement was "inevitable". | Mr Lekota had accused the ANC's new leadership of arrogance, saying a split within the movement was "inevitable". |
| Mr Mbeki stood down after a judge suggested he had interfered in the prosecution of Mr Zuma on corruption charges, something the former South African leader denies. | Mr Mbeki stood down after a judge suggested he had interfered in the prosecution of Mr Zuma on corruption charges, something the former South African leader denies. |