The President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki resigned last week after the executive committee of the African National Conference decided to ‘recall’ the president from his position. Thabo Mbeki has obliged and will step down from the position he has held for 9 years.
Mbeki was expected to step down next year after the completion of a second successful term in office, however his resignation has been brought forward due to ‘political meddling’ in corruption and fraud charges against Jacob Zuma who had managed to oust Mbeki from the presidency of the ANC last December. The corruption charges related to a multi-billion-rand arms deal. Zuma’s financial adviser is already serving a 15 year jail sentence on similar charges.
Judge Christopher Nicholson, who dealt with the case, reported that it appeared that Mbeki, and his Justice Minister had colluded with the prosecution in a tussle for power. Gwede Mantashe, the ANC secretary-general, said that Mbeki ‘welcomed the news and agreed that he is going to participate in the parliamentary process.’
The constitution states that if the President resigns or dies the Deputy President would resign, however Mbeki’s deputy promised to resign with Mbeki. This now means that an interim President must be selected. The path is now clear for Jacob Zuma to go for the presidency once he gets MP status, allowing him to stand for the position. The opposition leader, Bantu Holomisa of the United Democratic Movement complained about the decision, suggesting that “Parliament should have the last word, not some kangaroo court of the ANC NEC.”
Officials of the ANC are not directly elected and can be appointed and recalled as and when the party officials want.
Holomisa goes on to say: “Here is a person, not accused of any crime, being pushed out of office by a person who faces charges of fraud and corruption.” Although Mbeki was set to leave he has in essence been pushed out of the door before his term was up. Mbeki has been vitally important in brokering the new government for Zimbabwe, making sure that a free and fair process was undertaken. He has been pushed from a posistion he has held since Nelson Mandela; and it is sad that he has been removed in such an ungrateful way.
