Saturday, September 20, 2008

ANC Fires SA President Thabo Mbeki

NVDL: But Mbeki was doing such a great job...
clipped from news.yahoo.com
In this July 19, 2008 file handout photo from Government Communication Information Service (GCIS) African National Congress (ANC) President Jacob Zuma, left, with South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki, right, arrive for  Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday celebrations at Mandela's home in Qunu, South Africa. South Africa's ruling party has called on President  Mbeki to resign as head of state. Mbeki has lost a power struggle against his rival, ANC leader Jacob Zuma, and has come under pressure to qui


JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - South African President Thabo Mbeki agreed to resign after the ruling party ordered him Saturday to step down, a move that could heighten turmoil in Africa's economic powerhouse.

Mbeki's rival and heir apparent Jacob Zuma was not expected to take over immediately. Another figure in the ruling African National Congress could be named interim president by parliament.

In a ruling last Friday that threw out corruption charges against Zuma, Judge Christopher Nicholson said it appeared Mbeki and his justice minister had colluded with prosecutors against Zuma as part of the "titanic power struggle" within the ANC.

Mbeki indignantly denied this Friday.

Despite his nine years at the top, Mbeki never managed to win the hearts of the masses because of his aloof, academic manner, lacking Zuma's relaxed spontaneity.

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