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Warning over unruly ANC contest Two-man leadership fight for ANC
(about 5 hours later)
African National Congress delegates have been warned to behave or face disciplinary action, as South Africa's ruling party meets to choose a leader. South Africa's governing ANC has chosen two bitter rivals, President Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma, as the sole candidates for the party leadership.
Supporters of President Thabo Mbeki and his popular former ally Jacob Zuma have been trying to out-sing each other amid chaotic scenes. The vote at the party's fractious conference is now due on Tuesday after two days of gruelling debate in which their rivalry emerged for all to see.
Mr Mbeki was booed and heckled during his speech on Sunday. Proceedings have been rowdy and at times confrontational despite appeals from former President Nelson Mandela.
Mr Zuma is the favourite to win. If he does, he would be in a strong position to become South African leader in 2009. Mr Zuma is the favourite to win but Mr Mbeki's camp is increasingly vocal.
Mr Mbeki is barred from serving a third term as national president and the ANC's choice is likely to determine who will be South Africa's next leader in 2009. Some had hoped a compromise candidate would be nominated to help end the divisive contest between Mr Mbeki and his former ally, the BBC's Will Ross reports from the conference in Polokwane, Limpopo.
Heckles But there were no new nominations and now on Tuesday almost 4,000 members of the African National Congress will have to choose between the two men.
Jeff Radebe, a member of the ANC's national executive committee, said it was wrong to boo other party officials. Kingmaker vote
The election has a significant influence on who will become the next president of South Africa, our correspondent notes.
LEADERSHIP RIVALS Thabo Mbeki, 65 Succeeded Nelson Mandela as president in 1999Presided over economic growthAccused of not doing enough to reduce povertyWon bid to host 2010 football World CupSeen as aloofFrom Xhosa ethnic group Jacob Zuma, 65 Played key role in fight against apartheidPlagued by corruption allegationsBacked by trade unions, Communist PartySeen as charismaticFrom Zulu ethnic group Mbeki: Born into struggleZuma: Comeback kidLEADERSHIP RIVALS Thabo Mbeki, 65 Succeeded Nelson Mandela as president in 1999Presided over economic growthAccused of not doing enough to reduce povertyWon bid to host 2010 football World CupSeen as aloofFrom Xhosa ethnic group Jacob Zuma, 65 Played key role in fight against apartheidPlagued by corruption allegationsBacked by trade unions, Communist PartySeen as charismaticFrom Zulu ethnic group Mbeki: Born into struggleZuma: Comeback kid
He said "appropriate action" would be taken if such behaviour persisted. After two terms in office, President Mbeki is obliged to step down but should he win the party leadership contest he could work to prevent Mr Zuma from reaching the presidency.
"When we came here, we thought there would be discipline, but intimidation is beginning to affect our people," said Deputy Defence Minister Mluleki George, who backs Mr Mbeki, reports the Reuters news agency. It has been the most divisive contest in the long history of the ANC, our correspondent adds.
About 4,000 delegates at the five-day congress in Polokwane, Limpopo, will see the ANC's first leadership contest in 58 years. For some this is a sign of a healthy democracy in action while others, he says, fear the split in the ANC could spell trouble for South Africa.
It had been expected the vote would be held on Sunday evening but, after 11 gruelling hours, the congress broke up to reconvene on Monday. Delegates were warned to behave or face disciplinary action on Monday after Mbeki supporters tried to out-sing each other amid chaotic scenes.
The result may not be known until Tuesday. Zuma supporters sang the anti-apartheid song Bring Me My Machine-gun, during pro-Mbeki speeches while Mbeki supporters retorted by singing Mbeki, My President.
Mr Zuma's supporters have been singing his anthem, the anti-apartheid song, Bring Me My Machine-gun, during the speeches of those seen as pro-Mbeki. Mr Mbeki had been booed and heckled during his opening speech on Sunday.
But on Monday, hundreds of Mr Mbeki's supporters retorted by singing "Mbeki, my president". Jeff Radebe, a member of the ANC's national executive committee, said "appropriate action" would be taken if booing persisted.
In his address lasting nearly three hours on Sunday, Mr Mbeki did not mention Mr Zuma by name but stressed the need for "ethical leadership". "Intimidation is beginning to affect our people," said one Mbeki supporter, Deputy Defence Minister Mluleki George.
Mr Zuma has been warding off allegations of corruption and last year was acquitted of rape charges - he says they were politically motivated. Mandela 'saddened'
Mr Mbeki said claims by the Zuma camp that he had centralised power were false, which sparked boos and hissing from the floor. It will be the ANC's first leadership contest in 58 years.
'Sad'
Correspondents say if Mr Mbeki were to remain ANC leader he would be well placed to decide who succeeds him as national leader in 2009.
Over the weekend, former President Nelson Mandela said: "It saddens us to see and hear of the nature of the differences currently in the organisation."
South African viewpointsIn picturesSouth African viewpointsIn pictures
In an address lasting nearly three hours on Sunday, Mr Mbeki did not mention Mr Zuma by name but stressed the need for "ethical leadership".
Mr Zuma has been warding off allegations of corruption and last year was acquitted of rape charges - he says they were politically motivated.
Mr Mbeki said claims by the Zuma camp that he had centralised power were false.
Mr Mandela has said he is saddened by "the nature of the differences currently in the organisation".
On Friday, the former Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, said neither Mr Zuma or Mr Mbeki were suitable candidates.On Friday, the former Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, said neither Mr Zuma or Mr Mbeki were suitable candidates.
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.
Mr Zuma's supporters believe he would do more to reduce poverty in South Africa. He is backed by the Congress of South African Trade Unions, and the South African Communist Party, both allied to the ANC. Mr Zuma's supporters believe he would do more to reduce poverty in South Africa.
But last week, Mr Zuma told the BBC that the ANC economic policy was set by a committee, not an individual, and he would not be changing direction.