Cape Town — Jacob Zuma, the deputy leader of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), inflicted a severe defeat on South Africa's national leader, President Thabo Mbeki, at the ruling party's national conference tonight.
Zuma was elected the new president of the ANC with 2329 votes, against 1505 for Mbeki. His running mates won every one of the six major ANC leadership posts.
Barring attempts to unseat him as president of the country, Mbeki will still rule until the next elections in 2009. Unless Zuma is charged and convicted on corruption charges, which prosecutors suggest they have the evidence to bring, he is the clear favourite to succeed Mbeki.
The announcement of the results was broadcast live by South African radio and television.
The results showed clearly that delegates to the ANC's national conference voted in camps, with Zuma's team all receiving a similar number of votes.
The highest number of votes in Zuma's camp went to the former party secretary-general and miners' union leader, Kgalema Motlanthe, who drew slightly more votes than Zuma did himself.
Mbeki drew the highest number of votes in his camp. His deputy president in the national government, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, received only 1374 votes. She was appointed deputy president after Mbeki fired Zuma when he was first implicated in corruption by a judge.
Eyes at the conference now turn to elections for the national executive committee. Voting for national leadership positions showed a split of about 60-40 in favour of Zuma.
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The full results:
President:
Jacob Zuma 2329
Thabo Mbeki 1505
Deputy President:
Kgalema Motlanthe 2346
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma 1444
National Chairperson
Baleka Mbete 2326
Joel Netshitenzhe 1475
Secretary-General
Gwede Mantashe 2378
Mosiuoa Lekota 1432
Deputy Secretary-General
Thandi Modise 2304
Thoko Didiza 1455
Treasurer-General
Mathews Phosa 2328
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka 1374
