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Mbeki allies lose top ANC posts

A divisive African National Congress (ANC) meeting ended with another loss for South African President Thabo Mbeki as eight of his Cabinet ministers and deputies were cut from the top party structure, media reported yesterday.

Supporters of newly elected leader Jacob Zuma failed to re-elect many Mbeki loyalists, including Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad, Security Minister Charles Nqakula and Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Nguka. Defense Minister Mosiuoa Lekota was also among those kicked off the ANC's National Executive Committee on Thursday.

Nelson Mandela's former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela took the top position in the new committee, which was announced in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Madikizela-Mandela remains influential in the ANC despite a 1991 kidnapping and accessory to assault conviction and her subsequent divorce from Mandela. She is a former president of the ANC women's league.

However, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel retained his position, although his deputy Jabu Moleketi did not. Controversial Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang also managed to stay on, the Business Day newspaper said.

There had been speculation supporters of Zuma, backed by trade unions and communists in his successful bid to unseat Mbeki, would oust Manuel.

The finance minister has been praised by the business community for an investor-friendly fiscal policy that has helped spur economic growth. His office said on Thursday he did not plan to leave his government post before the end of his term.

Zuma, now the frontrunner to succeed Mbeki as state president, told a news conference Manuel had done a good job over the years and that he had no authority to remove him.

"His track record is very good in addressing the question of fiscal discipline," Zuma said in the northern town of Polokwane, where the ANC held a five-day conference to choose a new leadership team and approve policies for the next five years.

"Why should I be thinking of removing a minister. I do not have that authority. That is the job of the president of the country, I do not deal with issues of appointing and removing ministers," Zuma said.

Another controversial appointment was that of convicted fraudster and former ANC chief whip, Tony Yengeni, who spent time in prison for corruption after defrauding parliament by failing to disclose a near 50 percent discount on a luxury 4X4 Mercedes Benz.

Businessmen Tokyo Sexwale and Cyril Ramaphosa, both touted as possible presidential candidates despite not actively participating in politics in recent years, appeared on the list.

Political analyst Steven Friedman told Talk Radio 702 the list included many "people thrown into the wilderness by the previous leadership."

Former spy boss Billy Masethla and former deputy health minister Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge -- both fired by Mbeki -- also made their way back onto the list.

Also See: Zuma's victory could trigger break-up of South Africa's ANC
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