afrol News, 8 October - Former South African defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota says it is inevitable that ruling African National Congress (ANC) will split before polls scheduled for next year.

"Today we are serving divorce papers," he said, announcing a conference in next few weeks where a decision may be taken to split from ANC.

Mr Lekota is a close ally of former South African president Thabo Mbeki who was forced out of office by party last month.

General elections are due in South Africa in the first half of next year.

ANC is divided between supporters of Mr Mbeki and party leader Jacob Zuma. Mr Zuma who won a bitter party contest to become ANC president last year.

Mr Lekota, known as "Terror" because of his prowess on football field, is a former ANC chairman.

"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," he told media.

He added that, "If leadership of ANC continues in their arrogance, we will proceed with next step."

He did not refer to Mr Zuma by name but condemned tribalism and ANC leaders who "stand on public platforms singing songs that advocate violence".

Some of Mr Zuma's supporters celebrate his Zulu origins, while his trademark song is the apartheid-era anthem "Bring Me My Machine Gun".

Last week, Mr Lekota wrote an open letter, in which he reportedly accused new ANC leadership of damaging democracy.

Supporters of Mr Zuma have been accused of intimidating judiciary during his recent legal problems.

ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema has also reportedly said he was prepared to kill for Mr Zuma.

Transport minister Jeff Radebe is said to have responded by saying that Mr Lekota and those who supported him were free to leave party.

Mr Mbeki stood down after a judge suggested he might have interfered in prosecution of Mr Zuma on corruption charges.

Former South African leader strongly denies this and has appealed against judge's ruling.

Mr Lekota was one of several ministers who resigned along with Mr Mbeki.

Responding yesterday evening to rumours of a split, Mr Zuma reportedly said he thought it would be short-lived.

"I don't think it would have a very long life span, I would be surprised," South African media quoted him as saying.

"You can't believe in ANC and its policies so deeply, and then form an organisation that repeats same policies, that would be funny," he said.

On Sunday, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu said it would be good for South Africa to have a viable opposition party.

In Mr Lekota's open letter to party, he reportedly attacked ANC for allowing members of South African Communist Party (SACP) to take over leading positions.

"ANC is not SACP and SACP is NOT ANC."

SACP is in a formal alliance with ANC, together with Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).

Mr Lekota argues that distinction between parties has now been blurred, with ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe also chairman of SACP.

Mr Zuma's supporters accused Mr Mbeki of being too aloof and business-friendly but Mr Zuma has said he would not change South Africa's economic policies, if he does become president next year.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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