South Africa’s ANC Erodes Mbeki’s Power, May Fire Two Premiers
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Cape Town, South Africa — South Africa’s ruling African National Congress stepped up its effort to sideline President Mbeki, forcing him to assign its deputy president to a cabinet post and indicating it may fire two provincial governors he appointed.
Premier Ebrahim Rasool of the Western Cape and Premier Nosimo Balindlela of the Eastern Cape, who backed Mr. Mbeki’s failed bid to retain the party presidency in December, may be dismissed, the ANC said in a message sent by e-mail yesterday. Two days ago, Mr. Mbeki named a former labor unionist, Kgalema Motlanthe, to his Cabinet, complying with an ANC directive issued almost four months ago.
Mr. Mbeki, who must step down as the nation’s leader next year after serving the maximum two terms allowed by the Constitution, lost control of the ANC presidency to Jacob Zuma in December. His power has waned since then as the new leadership asserts its authority.
“It’s an indication of the shift in the power balance within the ANC,” a politics lecturer at the University of South Africa in Pretoria, Clive Napier, said. “Mbeki’s got formal power but he’s lost his influence over the party and the decisions it makes.”
Mr. Motlanthe, who was given responsibility for “the coordination of government business,” is next in line to succeed Mr. Mbeki should Mr. Zuma be convicted on charges of taking bribes from arms dealers. Mr. Zuma, who denies any wrongdoing, is due to appear in court in August, when his trial is expected to be postponed until next year.
Mr. Motlanthe’s appointment is “as an important part of the process of transition from the current national government administration to the one that the ANC expects will come into office after the 2009 elections,” the party said in a message sent by e-mail.
The ANC won almost 70% of the vote in the 2004 election and controls all nine provinces. In December, the ANC stripped Mr. Mbeki of his right to nominate the provincial premiers. South Africa’s provincial governments’ responsibilities include overseeing the provision of health, education, and welfare services.
