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Last Updated: Oct 9, 2008 - 10:35:56 AM |
"Today we are serving divorce papers," he said, announcing a conference
in next few weeks where a decision may be taken to split from ANC.
Mr Lekota is a close ally of former South African president Thabo Mbeki
who was forced out of office by party last month.
General elections are due in South Africa in the first half of next
year.
ANC is divided between supporters of Mr Mbeki and party leader Jacob
Zuma. Mr Zuma who won a bitter party contest to become ANC president
last year.
Mr Lekota, known as "Terror" because of his prowess on football field,
is a former ANC chairman.
"We intend within a short period of time to call a national convention
of comrades or something of that nature to determine how to proceed to
defend democracy in this country," he told media.
He added that, "If leadership of ANC continues in their arrogance, we
will proceed with next step."
He did not refer to Mr Zuma by name but condemned tribalism and ANC
leaders who "stand on public platforms singing songs that advocate
violence".
Some of Mr Zuma's supporters celebrate his Zulu origins, while his
trademark song is the apartheid-era anthem "Bring Me My Machine Gun".
Last week, Mr Lekota wrote an open letter, in which he reportedly
accused new ANC leadership of damaging democracy.
Supporters of Mr Zuma have been accused of intimidating judiciary
during his recent legal problems.
ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema has also reportedly said he was
prepared to kill for Mr Zuma.
Transport minister Jeff Radebe is said to have responded by saying that
Mr Lekota and those who supported him were free to leave party.
Mr Mbeki stood down after a judge suggested he might have interfered in
prosecution of Mr Zuma on corruption charges.
Former South African leader strongly denies this and has appealed
against judge's ruling.
Mr Lekota was one of several ministers who resigned along with Mr Mbeki.
Responding yesterday evening to rumours of a split, Mr Zuma reportedly
said he thought it would be short-lived.
"I don't think it would have a very long life span, I would be
surprised," South African media quoted him as saying.
"You can't believe in ANC and its policies so deeply, and then form an
organisation that repeats same policies, that would be funny," he said.
On Sunday, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu said it
would be good for South Africa to have a viable opposition party.
In Mr Lekota's open letter to party, he reportedly attacked ANC for
allowing members of South African Communist Party (SACP) to take over
leading positions.
"ANC is not SACP and SACP is NOT ANC."
SACP is in a formal alliance with ANC, together with Congress of South
African Trade Unions (COSATU).
Mr Lekota argues that distinction between parties has now been blurred,
with ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe also chairman of SACP.
Mr Zuma's supporters accused Mr Mbeki of being too aloof and
business-friendly but Mr Zuma has said he would not change South
Africa's economic policies, if he does become president next year.
Source:Ocnus.net 2008
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