John Allen
20 September 2008
Cape Town — South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) has called on President Thabo Mbeki to resign.
The party's National Executive Committee said in a statement on Saturday that it had decided to "recall" Mbeki before his term in office expires. Mbeki's second and final term in office was scheduled to end next April.
However, the party gave no clear roadmap of the process by which Mbeki will be replaced. South Africa's presidents are elected by Parliament.
The ANC secretary-general, Gwede Mantashe, told a televised news conference that South Africa's constitution was "silent" on what happened when a president stepped down. Parliament would now have to "look at the formula" and "develop" a system for handling the situation, he added. Mantashe said that Mbeki had "agreed that he is going to participate in the process and the formalities."
Mantashe did indicate, however, that the party had opted not to use sections of the constitution under which Parliament could either pass a formal vote of no confidence in Mbeki or remove him from office. He said the ANC wanted to "try to resolve the problem politically."
The roots of the crisis over Mbeki's leadership, and his party's loss of confidence in him, lie in allegations of bribery and corruption around a U.S.$30 billion arms deal. The controversy has, in the words of a high court judge, become a "cancer that is devouring the body politic and the reputation for integrity built up so assiduously after the fall of apartheid."
The judge was delivering judgement in a case in which prosecutors have accused Jacob Zuma, Mbeki's successor as party leader and his prospective successor as South Africa's president, of corruption arising from the arms deal.
Mantashe made it clear that the decision to recall Mbeki had been prompted by fear that Mbeki, his cabinet and prosecutors would try to reverse a finding by the judge which suggested that cabinet ministers - and by inference Mbeki - had improperly influenced prosecutors in Zuma's case.
Mantashe said prosecutors and the cabinet had been "hitting at the core issues" when they announced this week they wanted to contest the finding. The party wanted to ensure that "contestations" within the party were minimised. "We are trying to bring back stability and certainty," he said.
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Great victory to fairness and to humanity at large. I suppose he has done enough to deserve a job in his northern neighbour's new cabinet. He did such a stirling job up there they will create something good for him But then he must get used to seeing sickly, hungry, unkempt, uneducated, dying children daily, while he swims in ill-gotten wealth and learns Zanu slogans. He should have no problem getting a farm either. Shame !
I donot know the domestic politics in South Africa. But, If this man was the same man that handled the Zimbagwe-Migwabe Wahala, then he is supposed to have been kicked out long ago. He is an Idiot.
Africa won't miss him. However, Africa won't forget that he sided with the villainous Mugabe when the majority of Zimbabweans, through the ballot, said otherwise. Of recent he was again at it, in Khartoum siding with Bashir Omar who has been indicted for war crimes which he and his government have perpetrated on the people of Darfur. Mbeki needed to have gone long ago, especially now that he has crossed the line by meddling too much in other countries affairs, and misusing South Africa's political stature. What quiet diplomacy is that that supports criminals, be they African heads of state ? It is unacceptable and should rightly be condemned in the utmost.
After many years of white rule, the people of South Africa still have to deal with their own kind.As a black man myself,I think Mr.Mbeke needs to step down and gave place a chance for new leaderships.
please!!please!! i beg in the name of father,son, and holy spirt!!! let try to understand that intersts of population have to come before politician's one!! why do we human being(african )looking at only the mistak of somebody when ours are full like liver during rain season!! MR mbeki has tryed his best!!i'm sure for that!! he played good role in my country up to day(burundi)!! let take care of africa !!is our continental , let have humbleness in our hearts!! let think about tomorrow,and do not forget that the things we are faiting for is not for us!! but for this world!!!if can be possible for us to do experment for this, i think we can ask MWANAWASA IF HE HAS TOOK ANYTHING AMONG OF HIS PROPARTY, OR MONEY ..WHATEVER!!!!
Thabo Mbeki has displayed a rare political courage, in which none African Heads Of State could do. Instead, these "sit tight & die there" African Heads Of State would head to the law court to challenge their parties' decision. I personally duff my sincere cap for Thabo Mbeki. He's a real ruler to be emulated. He has earned for himself a complete respect and praises in Africa and entire World in general. He should be given a World Noble Prize for Peace Initiation. If he would have objected to his party's decision, by now SA eould have erupted in unimaginable political imbroglio / civil unrest, because about 80% of the 40mill people belong to ANC. Thabo Mbeki is sensible, intelligent and damn courageous. Thumps up for the Man Of Courage and Sincerity. You are our main Man Of The Year, 2008, Thabo Mbeki. Other Heads Of State should frankly copy from you.
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