Mbeki loyalists threaten split from S Africa's ANC
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Supporters of ousted South African president Thabo Mbeki have threatened to split from the ruling African National Congress (ANC), accusing its leaders of abandoning democratic ideals.
"It seems that today we are serving divorce papers," former defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota told a press conference broadcast on radio.
He accused ANC leaders of losing sight of the party's ideals that spearheaded the struggle against apartheid and made democracy icon Nelson Mandela the country's president.
"We intend within a short period of time... to call a national convention of comrades or something of that nature to determine how to proceed to defend democracy in this country," Mr Lekota said.
"If the leadership of the ANC continues in their arrogance... we will proceed with the next step," he added.
The ANC ordered Mr Mbeki to resign as president on September 20, the culmination of a long-running power struggle with ANC leader Jacob Zuma.
Mr Mbeki's resignation sparked widespread rumours of a split within the party, whose ranks include business executives, union leaders and a variety of activists whose bonds were forged in the struggle against white-minority rule.
- AFP
