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Tutu urges ANC not to choose Zuma Tutu urges ANC not to choose Zuma
(about 6 hours later)
The former Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, has urged South Africa's governing African National Congress not to choose Jacob Zuma as its new leader.The former Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, has urged South Africa's governing African National Congress not to choose Jacob Zuma as its new leader.
He said most people would be ashamed to have Mr Zuma as leader and that South Africa deserved someone better.He said most people would be ashamed to have Mr Zuma as leader and that South Africa deserved someone better.
Mr Zuma, ex-vice president of South Africa, said Church leaders should pray for people and not condemn them.Mr Zuma, ex-vice president of South Africa, said Church leaders should pray for people and not condemn them.
Acquitted of rape last year, Mr Zuma is vying for the ANC leadership with South African President Thabo Mbeki.Acquitted of rape last year, Mr Zuma is vying for the ANC leadership with South African President Thabo Mbeki.
One of the two ANC veterans will prevail during a five-day congress that starts on Sunday in Polokwane, Limpopo.One of the two ANC veterans will prevail during a five-day congress that starts on Sunday in Polokwane, Limpopo.
'Ashamed''Ashamed'
If he wins, Mr Zuma would be in line to become ANC candidate for president of South Africa in 2009 elections. If he wins, Mr Zuma will be in line to become ANC candidate for president of South Africa in 2009 elections.
We're very worried that this leader [Jacob Zuma] had relations with a woman who regarded him as a parent Desmond Tutu former Archbishop of Cape Town
But Archbishop Tutu, one of South Africa's most powerful moral voices, urged the ANC to reject Mr Zuma, saying they should "not choose someone of whom most of us would be ashamed".
"We're very worried that this leader had relations with a woman who regarded him as a parent," he told South Africa's Mail & Guardian newspaper.
This was an apparent reference to the woman Mr Zuma was acquitted of raping. She was a family friend less than half his age with whom he had unprotected sex while being aware she was HIV-positive.
"Although he is very likeable, we have to ask ourselves: 'What is happening in the ANC?'" Archbishop Tutu continued.
Winning the leadership would boost Mr Zuma's presidency chancesWinning the leadership would boost Mr Zuma's presidency chances
But Archbishop Tutu, one of South Africa's most powerful moral voices, urged the ANC to reject Mr Zuma, saying: "They should please not choose someone of whom most of us would be ashamed. Our country deserves better." "I would like to see these issues being taken seriously and addressed."
But Mr Zuma dismissed the appeal, saying: "The business of the leaders of the Church, in terms of what God has said, they must pray for people, not condemn them." Mr Zuma responded by saying it was "the business of the leaders of the Church... [to] pray for people, not condemn them".
Once close allies, Mr Zuma and Mr Mbeki publicly fell out in 2005 when Mr Zuma was sacked as deputy president over corruption allegations. Once close allies, he and Mr Mbeki publicly fell out in 2005 when Mr Zuma was sacked as deputy president over corruption allegations.
The case against Mr Zuma was thrown out by a judge last year but he could still face charges in connection with a multi-million dollar arms deal.The case against Mr Zuma was thrown out by a judge last year but he could still face charges in connection with a multi-million dollar arms deal.
He stood trial last year accused of raping a HIV-positive family friend, but was cleared.
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 well placed 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 well placed to decide who succeeds him as national leader.