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'Nothing to fear' from SA's Zuma | 'Nothing to fear' from SA's Zuma |
(10 minutes later) | |
Jacob Zuma, the favourite to become the next leader of South Africa's African National Congress, has denied that he would change economic policy. | Jacob Zuma, the favourite to become the next leader of South Africa's African National Congress, has denied that he would change economic policy. |
He is seen as the candidate of the ANC's left-wing, who criticise President Thabo Mbeki for being too business-friendly. | He is seen as the candidate of the ANC's left-wing, who criticise President Thabo Mbeki for being too business-friendly. |
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. |
The ANC is to choose its next leader at a meeting starting on Sunday. | The ANC is to choose its next leader at a meeting starting on Sunday. |
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 href="/1/hi/world/africa/7142105.stm">South Africa's widening divide | |
If he defeats Mr Mbeki in the leadership contest, he would be the strong favourite for the South African presidency after a general election that is due in 2009. | If he defeats Mr Mbeki in the leadership contest, he would be the strong favourite for the South African presidency after a general election that is due in 2009. |
Mr Zuma told the BBC's Orla Guerin there was no need to worry about him changing policy, as this was determined by the party, not by an individual leader. | Mr Zuma told the BBC's Orla Guerin there was no need to worry about him changing policy, as this was determined by the party, not by an individual leader. |
Under Mr Mbeki, South Africa's national income has grown steadily but many poor people, who vote ANC, complain that they have not benefited. | |
Investigation | Investigation |
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 href="/1/hi/world/africa/3499695.stm">Mbeki: Born into struggle class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/4615019.stm">Zuma: Comeback kid "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. |
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." |
Succession struggle | |
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." |
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. |