S.Africa's ruling party denies split after Mbeki

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-10-01 10:46

JOHANNESBURG -- South Africa's ruling ANC denied on Tuesday that it was about to split into rival factions after the leader of the richest province resigned in protest at the ousting of President Thabo Mbeki.

Kgalema Motlanthe takes the oath of office as South Africa's president, September 25, 2008. Motlanthe replaces Thabo Mbeki who resigned amid the worst political crisis since the end of apartheid. [Agencies]

Mbeki's resignation a week ago and replacement by Kgalema Motlanthe has fuelled speculation that officials loyal to the former president could form a breakaway faction of the African National Congress.

"The ANC takes notes of the reports in the media on the imminent formation of a new party. These reports have no face to them and are denied by people reported to be spearheading such a formation," the party said in a statement.

Respected Finance Minister Trevor Manuel also played down talk of a split, although he said more officials loyal to Mbeki were likely to resign. So far, no officials have defected from the ANC.

Mbhazima Shilowa, premier of Gauteng province, where both the business hub of Johannesburg and the state capital Pretoria are situated, resigned on Monday, saying he could not support the way the party forced out Mbeki before the end of his term.

Other pro-Mbeki state premiers were also thought to be considering whether to quit. Mbeki stepped down after a judge suggested he had meddled in a graft case against arch rival Jacob Zuma, who ousted him as ANC leader in December.

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Zuma is expected to win the presidential election next year, but prosecutors on Tuesday filed an application to appeal against the court ruling throwing out the corruption case against him.

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