International

Calls For New Political Party In South Africa

Published October 16, 2008 at 9:00 AM PDT

This story was published more than 16 years ago.

South Africa's former Defense Minister Mosiuoa Lekota in Johannesburg on Oct. 8, 2008. Loyalists of ousted South African President Thabo Mbeki threatened to split from the ruling African National Congress unless its leadership ends their "arrogance." Asked whether he plans to form a new political party, Lekota said: "It seems to be that it will be leading logically in that direction."

South Africa's African National Congress, which led the 40-year fight against apartheid and produced Nelson Mandela as the nation's first black president, may be close to splitting.

Divisions within the African National Congress deepened last month when Thabo Mbeki was forced to give up the presidency by party officials loyal to his rival Jacob Zuma. In the weeks since, several in the South African government resigned in solidarity with Mbeki.

Mbeki's supporters claim that Zuma is too tainted to lead the party. They cite as evidence, Zuma's close relationship with his former financial adviser Schabir Shaik, who is currently serving a 15 year sentence on corruption charges.

Become a KPBS sponsor

Mosiuoa Lekota, former South African defense minister, discusses the matter. He is among those who resigned after Mbeki's ouster.