South Africa's President May Be Ousted in Party Revolt

ANC meets as leaders plan to kick Mbeki out of office

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 19, 2008 7:47 AM CDT

(Newser) – The leaders of the African National Congress, South Africa's ruling party, are meeting today to debate whether to force Thabo Mbeki to resign. The country's president has been under fire since a court ruled that the prosecution of Jacob Zuma, Mbeki's archrival and the head of the ANC, was politically motivated. While powerful factions in the ANC want to force Mbeki out, Zuma is said to be cautious, reports the Guardian.

From his AIDS denials to his support for Robert Mugabe, Mbeki has become a tainted figure in South Africa—and the court's accusations of vindictiveness may be the last straw. But Mbeki won't go down without a fight, and with national elections only a few months away, Zuma is anxious not to hurt the party's standing. If Zuma remains opposed to sacking the president, he may face a power struggle against party members eager to see Mbeki go.

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Charges against Jacob Zuma were thrown out recently, as a judge ruled that his prosecution was politically motivated. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

South African President Thabo Mbeki may be forced out of office as soon as this weekend. (AP Photo)

South African President Thabo Mbeki may be forced out of office as soon as this weekend. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)

South African President Thabo Mbeki may be forced out of office as soon as this weekend. (AP Photo)

Charges against Jacob Zuma were thrown out recently, as a judge ruled that his prosecution was politically motivated. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam)

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We can't hold debates among ourselves that raise the temperature. There is an administration that is coming to an end, so if you do so you are like someone who beats a dead snake: wasting your energy. - Jacob Zuma, president of the ANC

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South Africa's President May Be Ousted in Party Revolt