South Africa's ruling ANC suspends dissident party chiefs

Tuesday, 14 October 2008

AFP

South Africa's former defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota gives a press conference in Johannesburg on October 8, 2008.Â Loyalists of ousted South African president Thabo Mbeki threatened to split from the ruling African National Congress (ANC) unless its leadership ends their "arrogance." When asked if he planned to form a new political party, Lekota said: "It seems to be that it will be leading logically in that direction." AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE

JOHANNESBURG, Oct 14, 2008 (AFP) - South Africa's ruling ANC has suspended the former defence minister and will haul him before a disciplinary committee, days after he threatened to form a breakaway party, officials said Tuesday.

Mosiuoa Lekota, who resigned as defence minister in September, last week threatened to form a new party and accused the African National Congress (ANC) of abandoning its democratic ideals in the sacking of former president Thabo Mbeki.

The ANC's National Working Committee issued a statement late Monday saying that Lekota and his former deputy Mluleki George had been suspended from the party.

Party spokesman Jessie Duarte told SA FM radio Tuesday that they would also be hauled before a disciplinary committee, which could take further action.

'The National Disciplinary Committee of the African National Congress will call them (to a meeting) and make a decision,' Duarte said.

Party leaders plan to meet Wednesday to discuss the suspension, the ANC said in a statement.

'The ANC will take similar action against any other members who have indicated in words or action their intention to establish a party in opposition to the ANC,' the statement said.

Lekota and George are supporters of Mbeki, who was forced by the ANC to resign as the nation's president on September 20, just months before the end of his term.

Lekota last Wednesday threatened to form a new party that could challenge the ANC in elections next year.

Lekota, a former chairman of the party that led the struggle against apartheid, said that he was yet to be formally informed of his suspension.

'I do not believe it... I want to wait until I get a letter from the ANC. The constitution of the ANC says that no member can be punished before you hold a hearing,' he said on a local television.

The threat of a breakaway party marks the latest twist in a long-running power struggle between Mbeki and party boss Jacob Zuma.

Zuma unseated Mbeki as party leader last December, in a dramatic upset for the man who succeeded democracy icon Nelson Mandela as South Africa's second president since the end of apartheid.

Mbeki himself has made no statements about a breakaway group.