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SA's Zuma denies rift with Mbeki SA's Zuma denies rift with Mbeki
(9 minutes later)
Jacob Zuma, contesting the leadership of South Africa's African National Congress, has denied suggestions of a rift with President Thabo Mbeki.Jacob Zuma, contesting the leadership of South Africa's African National Congress, has denied suggestions of a rift with President Thabo Mbeki.
Mr Mbeki said earlier the current acrimony in the ANC was the worst he has seen in his 50 years in the party.Mr Mbeki said earlier the current acrimony in the ANC was the worst he has seen in his 50 years in the party.
Mr Zuma told the BBC that policy will remain the same if he becomes ANC leader at next week's party conference.Mr Zuma told the BBC that policy will remain the same if he becomes ANC leader at next week's party conference.
Mr Zuma was formerly South Africa's deputy president but was sacked after being charged with corruption in 2005.Mr Zuma was formerly South Africa's deputy president but was sacked after being charged with corruption in 2005.
Do I look as if I've got horns? It's said that I block and inhibit open discussion - that's puzzling to me, it's completely untrue Thabo Mbeki Do I look as if I've got horns? It's said that I block and inhibit open discussion - that's puzzling to me, it's completely untrue Thabo Mbeki class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/3499695.stm">Mbeki: Born into struggle class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/4615019.stm">Zuma: Comeback kid
If he defeats Mr Mbeki in the leadership contest, he will be a strong contender for the South African presidency after a general election that is due in 2009.If he defeats Mr Mbeki in the leadership contest, he will be a strong contender for the South African presidency after a general election that is due in 2009.
There has been speculation that a Zuma presidency would mean changes in economic policy for South Africa.There has been speculation that a Zuma presidency would mean changes in economic policy for South Africa.
But Mr Zuma told the BBC's Orla Guerin this was an "unnecessary concern" since policy was determined by the party, not by an individual leader.But Mr Zuma told the BBC's Orla Guerin this was an "unnecessary concern" since policy was determined by the party, not by an individual leader.
InvestigationInvestigation
Asked whether he would resign from his position if new corruption charges were brought against him, Mr Zuma said he would only do so if found guilty.Asked whether he would resign from his position if new corruption charges were brought against him, Mr Zuma said he would only do so if found guilty.
"Allegations don't mean the man is guilty," he said."Allegations don't mean the man is guilty," he said.
You can't unite the ANC by getting opposing candidates to drink coffee together Thabo Mbeki "Why should I step down when charged?"You can't unite the ANC by getting opposing candidates to drink coffee together Thabo Mbeki "Why should I step down when charged?"
ANC structures in five of South Africa's nine provinces have indicated their support for Mr Zuma, in a contest that has become highly personalised.ANC structures in five of South Africa's nine provinces have indicated their support for Mr Zuma, in a contest that has become highly personalised.
In an interview in the Mail & Guardian newspaper on Friday, Mr Mbeki said the acrimony within the ANC had reached unprecedented levels in the run-up to the leadership contest.In an interview in the Mail & Guardian newspaper on Friday, Mr Mbeki said the acrimony within the ANC had reached unprecedented levels in the run-up to the leadership contest.
"The conflict is new even to ANC members older than I am," the president said."The conflict is new even to ANC members older than I am," the president said.
No criticismNo criticism
Asked whether there had been mistakes during his presidency, Mr Mbeki replied: "The disadvantage I have is that nobody says that. Nobody in the ANC stands up and says: you are doing the wrong things."Asked whether there had been mistakes during his presidency, Mr Mbeki replied: "The disadvantage I have is that nobody says that. Nobody in the ANC stands up and says: you are doing the wrong things."
When the interviewers put it to him that this silence might be because of fear, the president said he was puzzled at this.When the interviewers put it to him that this silence might be because of fear, the president said he was puzzled at this.
"I've heard this, and I don't understand it. Do I look as if I've got horns? It's said that I block and inhibit open discussion - that's puzzling to me, it's completely untrue.""I've heard this, and I don't understand it. Do I look as if I've got horns? It's said that I block and inhibit open discussion - that's puzzling to me, it's completely untrue."
Mr Mbeki said he regretted that the divisions in the party had become centred on people rather than policies.Mr Mbeki said he regretted that the divisions in the party had become centred on people rather than policies.
"You can't unite the ANC by getting opposing candidates to drink coffee together," he warned."You can't unite the ANC by getting opposing candidates to drink coffee together," he warned.
"People must be elected to positions in the ANC, not to lead factions.""People must be elected to positions in the ANC, not to lead factions."
Succession struggleSuccession struggle
Mr Mbeki and Mr Zuma, once close allies, publicly fell out in 2005 when Mr Zuma was sacked as deputy president over corruption allegations.Mr Mbeki and Mr Zuma, once close allies, publicly fell out in 2005 when Mr Zuma was sacked as deputy president over corruption allegations.
He could potentially still face charges in connection with a multi-million dollar arms deal.He could potentially still face charges in connection with a multi-million dollar arms deal.
Mr Zuma was also charged with rape but was acquitted - he says the charges were political.Mr Zuma was also charged with rape but was acquitted - he says the charges were political.
Mr Mbeki has already served two terms and cannot lead the country again, but correspondents say if he were to remain ANC leader he would be in a good position to decide who succeeds him as national leader.Mr Mbeki has already served two terms and cannot lead the country again, but correspondents say if he were to remain ANC leader he would be in a good position to decide who succeeds him as national leader.