South African President Thabo Mbeki forced out
His own party, the ruling African National Congress party, pressures him to resign. His rival Jacob Zuma is expected to try for the office in elections next year.
Ashraf Shazly AFP/Getty Images
JOHANNESBURG — South African President Thabo Mbeki was forced from office Saturday, paving the way for rival Jacob Zuma to take power and leaving the country in a state of political and economic uncertainty.
The populist Zuma, expected to take over after elections next year, has made several comebacks from near political oblivion: He beat rape charges in 2006 and just over a week ago managed to have fraud and racketeering charges thrown out on a technicality.
The executive committee of the ruling African National Congress decided to "recall" or depose Mbeki, and a presidential spokesman said Saturday he had agreed to resign.
Major questions posed by Mbeki's departure include the possibility of a big shift in economic policy and reports that numerous Mbeki loyalists in the Cabinet will depart. However, the ANC's secretary general, Gwede Mantashe, said Zuma was calling on Cabinet ministers to stay on for the sake of stability.
Zuma, 66, is president of the ANC. Last week, a judge in his fraud case declared that Zuma was the victim of a conspiracy within the political party to block his path to the nation's presidency. That supplied Zuma's supporters in the party with the ammunition to depose Mbeki
A trusted Zuma ally, parliamentary speaker Baleka Mbete, is expected to be appointed interim president.
Mbeki, also 66, has presided over a lengthy period of economic growth in South Africa, attracting foreign investment. But few benefits have trickled down to the poor, triggering demonstrations over poor services in townships across South Africa.
Investors have become used to the idea that the charismatic Zuma might be the next South African president since he defeated Mbeki for the presidency of the party last December.
After the vote, Zuma embarked on an international campaign to woo business and public opinion. But despite Zuma's pledge that he plans to leave ANC economic policies intact, investors remain uncertain because his most powerful supporters in the unions, ANC Youth League and the left wing of the ANC are all demanding a major shift to the left.
Those groups want to see an end to a set inflation target, and they oppose the balanced budgets that have won Mbeki's government economic credibility.
Reports in recent days suggest that Finance Minister Trevor Manuel plans to stay on, which would be a major victory for the Zuma camp.
With elections due next year, Mantashe said, the party would heal the deep rifts between the rival camps.
robyn.dixon@latimes.com
