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ANC heavyweight joins rebellion | ANC heavyweight joins rebellion |
(about 3 hours 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. | 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. | 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. | |
Kgalema Motlanthe has been sworn in as the new president, but Mr Zuma is favourite to take over 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 Turning their backs on the ANC | I have taken this decision knowing fully well that I will be vilified Mbhazima Shilowa 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. |
The new party would discuss constitutional reform and in particular whether, in the light of what happened to Mr Mbeki, South Africa's president should now be directly elected. | |
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. |
Mr Lekota had accused the ANC's new leadership of arrogance, saying a split within the movement was "inevitable". | |
On Tuesday, Mr Zuma described party dissidents as charlatans, and said the ANC would act "very decisively" to rid the movement of what he described as factionalism. | |
"History has been extremely unkind to those who break away from the ANC," he said. |