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S Africa rivals in key ANC vote Warning over unruly ANC contest
(about 2 hours later)
Delegates from the African National Congress are due to vote on who becomes the next leader of South Africa's ruling party. African National Congress delegates have been warned to behave or face disciplinary action, as South Africa's ruling party meets to choose a leader.
President Thabo Mbeki is locked in a bitter struggle for the leadership against his former ally, Jacob Zuma. Supporters of President Thabo Mbeki and his popular former ally Jacob Zuma have been trying to out-sing each other amid chaotic scenes.
Mr Zuma is a favourite to win despite being dogged by corruption charges. Mr Mbeki was booed and heckled during his speech on Sunday.
The delegates have been warned that unruly behaviour will not be tolerated after Mr Zuma's supporters booed and heckled Mr Mbeki on Sunday. 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 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.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.
HecklesHeckles
Jeff Radebe, a member of the ANC's national executive committee said it was wrong to boo other party officials. Jeff Radebe, a member of the ANC's national executive committee, said it was wrong to boo other party officials.
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 CupFrom Xhosa ethnic group Jacob Zuma, 65 Played key role in fight against apartheidSeen as charismaticPlagued by corruption allegationsBacked by trade unions, Communist PartyFrom Zulu ethnic group Mbeki: Born into struggleZuma: Comeback kid 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 kid
He said "appropriate action" would be taken if such behaviour persisted.He said "appropriate action" would be taken if such behaviour persisted.
"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.
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, after 11 gruelling hours, the congress broke up to reconvene on Monday morning. 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.
Mr Mbeki and Mr Zuma were sitting near each other on a podium as Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota got up to open the conference. The result may not be known until Tuesday.
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. 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.
But on Monday, hundreds of Mr Mbeki's supporters drowned out their rivals, singing "Mbeki, my president", reports the AFP news agency. But on Monday, hundreds of Mr Mbeki's supporters retorted by singing "Mbeki, my president".
In his address lasting nearly three hours, Mr Mbeki did not mention Mr Zuma by name but stressed the need for "ethical leadership". 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".
He 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 Zuma has been warding off allegations of corruption and last year was acquitted of rape charges - he says they were politically motivated.
He said claims by the Zuma camp that he had centralised power were false - sparking boos and hissing from the floor. Mr Mbeki said claims by the Zuma camp that he had centralised power were false, which sparked boos and hissing from the floor.
'Sad''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.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.
Meanwhile, Mr Zuma, has conducted a vigorous campaign to wrest the leadership crown.
South African viewpointsIn pictures He has also been warding off allegations of corruption and last year was acquitted of rape charges.
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."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 pictures
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. He is backed by the Congress of South African Trade Unions, and the South African Communist Party, both allied to the ANC.
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. 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.