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S Africa rivals in key ANC vote S Africa rivals in key ANC vote
(about 1 hour later)
Delegates from the African National Congress are due to vote on who becomes the next leader of South Africa's ruling party.Delegates from the African National Congress are due to vote on who becomes the next leader of South Africa's ruling party.
The current leader, President Thabo Mbeki, is locked in a bitter struggle for the leadership against his former ally, Jacob Zuma. President Thabo Mbeki is locked in a bitter struggle for the leadership against his former ally, Jacob Zuma.
Mr Zuma is a favourite to win despite being dogged by corruption charges.Mr Zuma is a favourite to win despite being dogged by corruption charges.
Mr Mbeki is barred from a third term in office but the choice of ANC leader could determine the next president. Mr Mbeki is barred from serving a third term as national president but the ANC's choice is likely to determine South Africa's next leader.
HecklesHeckles
The contest between the two men has divided the party just as it is looking forward to its centenary in four years, says the BBC's Peter Biles at the conference in Polokwane.The contest between the two men has divided the party just as it is looking forward to its centenary in four years, says the BBC's Peter Biles at the conference in Polokwane.
The conference got off to a rowdy start on Sunday as supporters of Mr Zuma heckled his opponents, including Mr Mbeki.The conference got off to a rowdy start on Sunday as supporters of Mr Zuma heckled his opponents, including Mr Mbeki.
He has to step down as the country's president in 2009 - after serving two terms.He has to step down as the country's president in 2009 - after serving two terms.
It saddens us to see and hear of the nature of the differences currently in the organisation Nelson Mandela In pictures: ANC electionIt saddens us to see and hear of the nature of the differences currently in the organisation Nelson Mandela In pictures: ANC election
Delegates at the five-day congress in Polokwane, Limpopo, will see the ANC's first leadership contest in 58 years.Delegates at the five-day congress in Polokwane, Limpopo, will see the ANC's first leadership contest in 58 years.
It had been expected the vote would be held on Sunday evening but, 11 gruelling hours later, the congress broke up to reconvene on Monday morning. It had been expected the vote could be held on Sunday evening but, after 11 gruelling hours, the congress broke up to reconvene on Monday morning.
Mr Mbeki and Mr Zuma were sitting near each other on a podium as Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota got up to open the conference.Mr Mbeki and Mr Zuma were sitting near each other on a podium as Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota got up to open the conference.
Some of Mr Zuma's supporters started heckling and booing - as Mr Lekota's speech was drowned with delegates singing the anti-apartheid song, Bring me my Machine-gun, which has become Mr Zuma's anthem. Some of Mr Zuma's supporters started heckling and booing - as Mr Lekota's speech was drowned with delegates singing the anti-apartheid song, Bring Me My Machine-gun, which has become Mr Zuma's anthem.
Mbeki appealMbeki appeal
In his address lasting nearly three hours, Mr Mbeki said the conference needed to establish the truth about whether the ANC had been involved in an internal struggle that threatened the very survival of the movement.In his address lasting nearly three hours, Mr Mbeki said the conference needed to establish the truth about whether the ANC had been involved in an internal struggle that threatened the very survival of the movement.
Thabo Mbeki said the matters affecting Mr Zuma had been a difficult and painful challenge and the ANC needed to deal with the situation without delay. Mr Mbeki said the matters affecting Mr Zuma had been a difficult and painful challenge and the ANC needed to deal with the situation without delay.
Supporters have been loud and clear in stating their preferencesHe said claims by the Zuma camp that he had centralised power were false - sparking boos and hissing from the floor.Supporters have been loud and clear in stating their preferencesHe said claims by the Zuma camp that he had centralised power were false - sparking boos and hissing from the floor.
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. Correspondents say if Mr Mbeki were to remain ANC leader he would be well placed to decide who succeeds him as national leader.
Meanwhile, Mr Zuma, has conducted a vigorous campaign to wrest the leadership crown.Meanwhile, Mr Zuma, has conducted a vigorous campaign to wrest the leadership crown.
He has also been warding off allegations of corruption and last year was acquitted of rape charges.He has also been warding off allegations of corruption and last year was acquitted of rape charges.
Nelson Mandela said: "It saddens us to see and hear of the nature of the differences currently in the organisation."Nelson Mandela said: "It saddens us to see and hear of the nature of the differences currently in the organisation."
On Friday, the former Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, urged the ANC to reject Mr Zuma.On Friday, the former Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, urged the ANC to reject Mr Zuma.
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, Mr Zuma 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.