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Mbeki challenges ruling on Zuma ANC confirms Mbeki's successor
(about 1 hour later)
South Africa's outgoing President Thabo Mbeki has lodged an appeal against a judge's ruling which accused him of interfering in the judiciary. South Africa's governing African National Congress (ANC) has confirmed that deputy leader Kgalema Motlanthe, will become the caretaker president.
Judge Chris Nicholson said there was evidence that the government had meddled in the corruption case against Mr Mbeki's rival, Jacob Zuma. Mr Motlanthe, an ally of party leader Jacob Zuma, will succeed Thabo Mbeki, who is due to step down on Thursday on the orders of the ANC.
This led the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to recall Mr Mbeki as president - a decision he has accepted. The confirmation came as deputy leader Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka resigned.
The ANC is to name a successor to Mr Mbeki on Thursday. Meanwhile, Mr Mbeki is appealing against a judge's ruling that he meddled in Mr Zuma's corruption case.
This is understood to be the ANC deputy leader Kgalema Motlanthe, an ally of Mr Zuma. Judge Chris Nicholson dismissed the case on a technicality earlier this month, but said Mr Mbeki may have interfered in the case.
As ANC leader, Mr Zuma is expected to be elected president in polls due early next year. This led to the ANC recalling Mr Mbeki as president - a decision he has accepted.
In his challenge, Mr Mbeki said the ruling was "unfair and unjust". In his challenge to the Constitutional Court, Mr Mbeki said the ruling was "unfair and unjust".
Political shake-up
The BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka's resignation clears the way for the appointment of Mr Motlanthe, as caretaker president.
Mrs Mlambo-Ngcuka has been a staunch supporter of Mr Mbeki
Our reporter says Mrs Mlambo-Ngcuka, who became deputy president in 2005 after Mr Zuma was sacked, has been a staunch supporter of President Mbeki.
It had been thought that she might take over the running of the country, following Mr Mbeki's resignation, but now she has made it clear that she is also resigning.
The ANC has been urging cabinet ministers to remain in their posts in the wake of the political shake-up.
Our reporter says it is possible that some will still choose to leave the government but ANC spokesperson Jessie Duarte says the party has not officially been told about any more resignations.
She also confirmed to South Africa's Talk Radio 702 that Mr Motlanthe, due to be sworn in on Thursday, will lead the country until the next election.
Mr Zuma is expected to be elected president in polls due early next year.