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Resignations rock SA government | Resignations rock SA government |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Eleven members of the South African cabinet say they are resigning along with President Thabo Mbeki, who is to step down on Thursday. | |
The resignations are a blow to the African National Congress government, says the BBC's Peter Biles. | |
ANC leader Jacob Zuma said the situation would soon return to normal. | |
One of the eleven, respected Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, says he has been asked to stay on by the ANC leaders and he is happy to do so. | One of the eleven, respected Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, says he has been asked to stay on by the ANC leaders and he is happy to do so. |
ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe said only six of the 11 had "no intention of serving in the new government". | |
He said the remaining five, plus three deputy ministers, felt that a new president should be given the space to make appointments. However, they were ready to serve in a new government, if asked to do so, he added. | |
I am happy to serve a new head of state Trevor ManuelFinance minister The ANC is divided between supporters of Mr Mbeki and Mr Zuma. | |
Mr Mbeki is to leave office on Thursday after accusations that he interfered in the prosecution of Mr Zuma on corruption charges. | Mr Mbeki is to leave office on Thursday after accusations that he interfered in the prosecution of Mr Zuma on corruption charges. |
A statement from the presidency said the resignation of 10 ministers, three deputy ministers and Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka would also be effective on Thursday. | |
As party leader, Mr Zuma is favourite to become South Africa's president in elections due next year. | |
Mr Zuma's allies had said they wanted the cabinet to stay in place. | Mr Zuma's allies had said they wanted the cabinet to stay in place. |
'Passing phase' | |
On Monday, Mr Zuma sought to reassure the business community and said there would be no change of economic policy. | |
A day later, he sought to play down the political turbulence, describing it as a "passing phase". | |
"Let me emphasise the current political changes taking place in the country are nothing extraordinary," said Mr Zuma. | |
"The situation will soon return to normal as we know exactly what we should do, and are doing it with speed, precision and sensitivity." | |
KEY RESIGNATIONS Trevor Manuel, financePhumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, deputy presidentJabu Moleketi, deputy financeSydney Mufamadi, local governmentMosiuoa Lekota, defenceRonnie Kasrils, intelligenceEssop Pahad, minister in the presidency Motlanthe: Safe handsSA's Mbeki resigns: Your viewsSend us your comments | |
A close ally of Mr Zuma - ANC deputy leader Kgalema Motlanthe - is to replace Mr Mbeki as president until the elections, the ANC has confirmed. | A close ally of Mr Zuma - ANC deputy leader Kgalema Motlanthe - is to replace Mr Mbeki as president until the elections, the ANC has confirmed. |
At a hastily convened press conference in New York, Mr Manuel said both Mr Motlanthe and Mr Zuma had asked him stay. | At a hastily convened press conference in New York, Mr Manuel said both Mr Motlanthe and Mr Zuma had asked him stay. |
"I am happy to serve a new head of state," he said. | "I am happy to serve a new head of state," he said. |
Mr Manuel is seen as instrumental in South Africa's recent economic stability. | Mr Manuel is seen as instrumental in South Africa's recent economic stability. |
Many of Mr Zuma's supporters have criticised Mr Mbeki for being too business-friendly and want the government to do more to help those in poverty. | |
Among those to resign are Deputy Finance Minister Jabu Moleketi, who is in charge of finances for the 2010 World Cup, and Local Government Minister Sydney Mufamadi, who played a key role in negotiations over the political crisis in neighbouring Zimbabwe. | Among those to resign are Deputy Finance Minister Jabu Moleketi, who is in charge of finances for the 2010 World Cup, and Local Government Minister Sydney Mufamadi, who played a key role in negotiations over the political crisis in neighbouring Zimbabwe. |
Mr Mbeki on Saturday accepted a decision by the ANC to recall him as president. | Mr Mbeki on Saturday accepted a decision by the ANC to recall him as president. |
Correspondents say the ANC's hopes of managing a stable transition have now been thrown out of the window. | Correspondents say the ANC's hopes of managing a stable transition have now been thrown out of the window. |
Meanwhile, Mr Mbeki has lodged a legal appeal at the Constitutional Court to clear his name after a judge said there was evidence that he might have interfered in the prosecution of Mr Zuma. | |
He said the ruling was "unfair and unjust" as he had not been able to defend himself in court. | |
The "vexatious, scandalous and prejudicial" judgement had already cost him his job and damaged his reputation, he said. | The "vexatious, scandalous and prejudicial" judgement had already cost him his job and damaged his reputation, he said. |