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SA president Colors Stripped
#898 - 34--Chill--SA president Colors Stripped--2008-09-20 12:54:36
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Ruling South African National Congress
(ANC) has made a decision today to sack its president, Thabo Mbeki,
making a diplomatic statement in Kempton Park to recall him.
However,
decision cannot as yet take effect, even though Mr Mbeki's aide has
confirmed that he has accepted recall. "President has accepted to step
down, once all constitutional requirements have been met," president's
spokesman was quoted in South African media today.
Mbeki's sacking by ANC's national executive committee, follows last
weeks high court decision to dismiss charges against incumbent
president Jacob Zuma, on grounds that charges were politically
motivated. High court judge cracked whip at Mr Mbeki for his alleged
interest and probably, an intent, to influence for instituting of
charges.
Mr Zuma was facing charges of corruption relating to post apartheid
multi-billion arms deal, in which huges sums of monies were allegedly
paid in bribes.
Ruling party's decision has been received with mixed feelings in South
Africa, with some moderate democrats calling it an untimely move, while
ANC hardliners feel it is a 'harsh lesson', but that would at least
bring healing to the divided party membership.
"I think today's decision has set it all. I will not vote again next year," said one man voicing his views on SA FM.
Others were sympathetic to Mr Mbeki, but said the decision was long
overdue, with rift in ruling party widening. "Mbeki's time is over, we
need to focus on tomorrow," said another.
Mr Mbeki's slap on the face comes just a few months before elections,
expected before July next year, and reports are already pointing out
that some members of South African cabinet, including deputy president
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, have said they would also step down in
solidarity if president Mbeki is asked to quit office.
This is the first major decision by ruling ANC in South Africa, which
could bear heavily on the constitution, even though party leadership
has said an early call for election would not be a solution.
As pointed out by some other political analysts, could South Africa be
heading head-fast to a constitutional crisis, or is another and new
Zimbabwe in the brewing?
Looking on the bight side, do they have tollroads in Zimbabwe
- --comments-->27--3482--34(ANC) has made a decision today to sack its president, Thabo Mbeki,
making a diplomatic statement in Kempton Park to recall him.
However,
decision cannot as yet take effect, even though Mr Mbeki's aide has
confirmed that he has accepted recall. "President has accepted to step
down, once all constitutional requirements have been met," president's
spokesman was quoted in South African media today.
Mbeki's sacking by ANC's national executive committee, follows last
weeks high court decision to dismiss charges against incumbent
president Jacob Zuma, on grounds that charges were politically
motivated. High court judge cracked whip at Mr Mbeki for his alleged
interest and probably, an intent, to influence for instituting of
charges.
Mr Zuma was facing charges of corruption relating to post apartheid
multi-billion arms deal, in which huges sums of monies were allegedly
paid in bribes.
Ruling party's decision has been received with mixed feelings in South
Africa, with some moderate democrats calling it an untimely move, while
ANC hardliners feel it is a 'harsh lesson', but that would at least
bring healing to the divided party membership.
"I think today's decision has set it all. I will not vote again next year," said one man voicing his views on SA FM.
Others were sympathetic to Mr Mbeki, but said the decision was long
overdue, with rift in ruling party widening. "Mbeki's time is over, we
need to focus on tomorrow," said another.
Mr Mbeki's slap on the face comes just a few months before elections,
expected before July next year, and reports are already pointing out
that some members of South African cabinet, including deputy president
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, have said they would also step down in
solidarity if president Mbeki is asked to quit office.
This is the first major decision by ruling ANC in South Africa, which
could bear heavily on the constitution, even though party leadership
has said an early call for election would not be a solution.
As pointed out by some other political analysts, could South Africa be
heading head-fast to a constitutional crisis, or is another and new
Zimbabwe in the brewing?
Looking on the bight side, do they have tollroads in Zimbabwe
