Mbeki “Letter” Upstages ANC Dissidents

Reports that former South African President Thabo Mbeki has written a letter reaffirming his commitment to the country’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) has upstaged efforts by some of his former ANC allies to from a breakaway opposition party. ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe told local newspapers that Mbeki had written to ANC leader Jacob Zuma, apparently distancing himself from the dissident group led by former Defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota and former Gauteng Premier Mbazima Shilowa, who have been planning to form a new party was in protest against the ANC’s treatment of Mbeki. Mbeki quit his position as South Africa’s presidency after being fired by the ANC in the culmination of a long running power tussle with Zuma. [PE]