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Mbeki defiant after defeat by ANC | |
(20 minutes later) | |
South African President Thabo Mbeki has said his government will stay in office despite huge losses in elections for senior African National Congress posts. | South African President Thabo Mbeki has said his government will stay in office despite huge losses in elections for senior African National Congress posts. |
Mr Mbeki told a news conference in Pretoria that his government would serve until its term expired in 2009. | Mr Mbeki told a news conference in Pretoria that his government would serve until its term expired in 2009. |
Jacob Zuma, who defeated Mr Mbeki in the vote for ANC leader, has said the pair can work together. | |
But a BBC correspondent says questions continue to be raised about having two centres of power in South Africa. | |
Mr Mbeki urged ANC members to "respond positively" to Mr Zuma's comments, which he called a roadmap to unity. | Mr Mbeki urged ANC members to "respond positively" to Mr Zuma's comments, which he called a roadmap to unity. |
Many close allies of President Mbeki, including eight cabinet ministers, lost their positions in the party's National Executive Committee (NEC), while Mr Zuma's supporters took top posts. | Many close allies of President Mbeki, including eight cabinet ministers, lost their positions in the party's National Executive Committee (NEC), while Mr Zuma's supporters took top posts. |
ANC COMMITTEE IN: Winnie Madikizela-MandelaTony Yengeni, former chief whip, convicted of corruptionNozizwe Madlala-Routledge, sacked deputy health ministerHealth Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang (known as Dr Beetroot) OUT - Mbeki loyalists: Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka Defence Minister Mosiuoa LekotaPahad brothers | ANC COMMITTEE IN: Winnie Madikizela-MandelaTony Yengeni, former chief whip, convicted of corruptionNozizwe Madlala-Routledge, sacked deputy health ministerHealth Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang (known as Dr Beetroot) OUT - Mbeki loyalists: Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka Defence Minister Mosiuoa LekotaPahad brothers |
ANC members were voting in the 80-member NEC after Mr Zuma defeated President Mbeki on Tuesday as party leader. | ANC members were voting in the 80-member NEC after Mr Zuma defeated President Mbeki on Tuesday as party leader. |
But Mr Zuma could still face corruption charges, which prosecutors say are imminent. He has said he is ready to go to court to clear his name. | But Mr Zuma could still face corruption charges, which prosecutors say are imminent. He has said he is ready to go to court to clear his name. |
Referring to the allegations against his rival, Mr Mbeki said: "All of us in the ANC have insisted, even... Zuma himself, that the law must take its course." | Referring to the allegations against his rival, Mr Mbeki said: "All of us in the ANC have insisted, even... Zuma himself, that the law must take its course." |
Mr Zuma's supporters have always said the charges are a political conspiracy against him. | Mr Zuma's supporters have always said the charges are a political conspiracy against him. |
Conviction | Conviction |
The ex-wife of former President Nelson Mandela, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, emerged top in the NEC vote in the northern town of Polokwane, endorsed by 2,845 of the 3,605 delegates. | |
She has not been active in the ANC since 2003, when she was convicted of fraud. | She has not been active in the ANC since 2003, when she was convicted of fraud. |
Earlier this month she stepped back into the spotlight when she proposed a face-saving compromise deal between Mr Mbeki and Mr Zuma - a suggestion that was not taken up. | Earlier this month she stepped back into the spotlight when she proposed a face-saving compromise deal between Mr Mbeki and Mr Zuma - a suggestion that was not taken up. |
JACOB ZUMA Played key role in fight against apartheidPlagued by corruption allegationsAcquitted on rape chargesSeen as charismatic Zuma enjoys crowning Controversial arms deal | JACOB ZUMA Played key role in fight against apartheidPlagued by corruption allegationsAcquitted on rape chargesSeen as charismatic Zuma enjoys crowning Controversial arms deal |
A prominent activist against apartheid during her then husband's imprisonment, Ms Madikizela-Mandela was convicted of kidnapping in 1991, in connection with the disappearance of a teenage activist who was subsequently found murdered. | A prominent activist against apartheid during her then husband's imprisonment, Ms Madikizela-Mandela was convicted of kidnapping in 1991, in connection with the disappearance of a teenage activist who was subsequently found murdered. |
The election of the NEC on Thursday follows the election earlier this week of Mr Zuma and five of his allies to the party's most senior positions. | The election of the NEC on Thursday follows the election earlier this week of Mr Zuma and five of his allies to the party's most senior positions. |
Among the prominent Mbeki allies who did not make it onto the NEC were national Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad and his brother, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Aziz Pahad. | Among the prominent Mbeki allies who did not make it onto the NEC were national Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad and his brother, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Aziz Pahad. |
Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka was appointed by Mr Mbeki after he fired Mr Zuma as deputy president in response to corruption charges in 2005. | Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka was appointed by Mr Mbeki after he fired Mr Zuma as deputy president in response to corruption charges in 2005. |
HAVE YOUR SAY Zuma himself has always demanded his day in court. He maintains he is innocent and it is only fair he has a chance to prove his innocence Frank Hartry, Amanzimtoti Send us your commentsZuma: Comeback kidTimeline: Zuma's legal woes | HAVE YOUR SAY Zuma himself has always demanded his day in court. He maintains he is innocent and it is only fair he has a chance to prove his innocence Frank Hartry, Amanzimtoti Send us your commentsZuma: Comeback kidTimeline: Zuma's legal woes |
Her husband, former chief prosecutor Bulelani Ngcuka, is seen by Zuma supporters as part of a conspiracy to bring down Mr Zuma. | Her husband, former chief prosecutor Bulelani Ngcuka, is seen by Zuma supporters as part of a conspiracy to bring down Mr Zuma. |
Other Mbeki allies were more successful, with Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu in seventh place in the NEC race, and controversial Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang at number 55 - several places behind her recently-sacked deputy, Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge. | Other Mbeki allies were more successful, with Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu in seventh place in the NEC race, and controversial Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang at number 55 - several places behind her recently-sacked deputy, Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge. |
On Thursday, chief prosecutor Mokotedi Mpshe told South Africa's 702 Talk Radio that the investigation into Mr Zuma was complete, and that "all we are doing now is tying [up] the loose ends". | On Thursday, chief prosecutor Mokotedi Mpshe told South Africa's 702 Talk Radio that the investigation into Mr Zuma was complete, and that "all we are doing now is tying [up] the loose ends". |
Mr Zuma refused to comment, only saying: "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." | |
The charges relate to a controversial arms deal, which saw Mr Zuma's adviser Schabir Shaik jailed for 15 years. | The charges relate to a controversial arms deal, which saw Mr Zuma's adviser Schabir Shaik jailed for 15 years. |
Tony Yengeni, former ANC chief whip, who was convicted of fraud over the same arms deal, retained his place on the NEC. | Tony Yengeni, former ANC chief whip, who was convicted of fraud over the same arms deal, retained his place on the NEC. |
He was released from prison in January just four months into a five-year sentence. His strict parole conditions were relaxed to allow him to attend the conference. | He was released from prison in January just four months into a five-year sentence. His strict parole conditions were relaxed to allow him to attend the conference. |