[It has been said that whoever is chosen is most likely only “temporary” until the next election. I wonder, who the “real” Vice President is likely to be? Who will Mbeki’s successor ultimately be? Jan]

Cape Town – Political circles are abuzz with speculation as to who will be the country’s new deputy president after President Thabo Mbeki “released” Jacob Zuma from the position.

Sources within the African National Congress say Defence Minister Mosioua Lekota and his finance colleague, Trevor Manuel, seem to be the front-runners.

By late on Tuesday night, there was no indication as to when Mbeki would name his new deputy. But, it is expected to be soon.

After telling a joint sitting of parliament that Zuma had been fired, Mbeki said he would make an announcement “in due course” on the changes to his cabinet.

In addition to Manuel and Lekota, Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Minerals and Energy Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula are also said to be in the running.

Lekota is considered the most-likely choice.

He is the national chair of the ANC and popular at grassroots level.

However, Manuel’s name also has cropped up often.

A reconciliatory move

He polled the most votes in the ANC’s previous leadership elections and has reaped acclaim for his work as minister of finance.

His appointment as deputy president could be seen a reconciliatory move towards coloured people, although his race could count against him in the ANC’s nationalistic wing.

Mbeki’s much-anticipated announcement came in response to the judgment in the Schabir Shaik trial which implicated Zuma in corruption.

At a news conference after Mbeki’s address, Zuma – who was absent from parliament when Mbeki made his announcement – said he had offered to resign his seat in parliament.

Maintaining his innocence and saying he had been treated “extremely unfairly”, Zuma said he, nevertheless, respected Mbeki’s decision.

Zuma says his conscience is clear

“All said and done, I believe that we should put national unity and the interests of our country and nation first,” said Zuma.

Reiterating that his conscience was clear, Zuma said: “I have not committed any crime against the state or the people of South Africa.

“But I have been tried by the media and, in effect, found guilty by a court in absentia.

“I have not been given an opportunity in an appropriate forum to defend myself against the allegations made.”

Zuma said he needed to be given an opportunity to tell his “side of the story” – but did not specify when or through which platform.

National prosecuting authority spokesperson Makhosini Nkosi said a decision on possible steps against Zuma would be made within the next couple of weeks.

Zuma told journalists he had offered to resign his seat in parliament – “not as an admission of guilt of any kind, but in order to make it easier for the ANC and government to function in parliament”.

‘This does not affect the ANC’

He emphasised that Mbeki had been acting in his capacity as president of the Republic and not as president of the ANC.

“What Mbeki has done is not what the ANC has done. It does not affect the ANC,” said Zuma, in reference to his own position as deputy president of the ANC, which remains unaffected by the developments.

“It is not a question of me deciding whether I want to become anything in the ANC.

“It is the ANC who decides,” he continued.

“I have dedicated all my life to serving the people of this country – and to working for a better South Africa.

“I am determined to continue serving my country in whatever capacity and role, and remain ready to make whatever sacrifice necessary for our country.”

Thanking Mbeki for his chance

Zuma declined to comment on whether he had been offered a chance to resign by Mbeki.

He said the issue of his leadership of the moral regeneration movement would be dealt with by the relevant structures.

Zuma expressed gratitude to Mbeki for giving him the opportunity to be his deputy.

“I look forward to continuing my work with him as his deputy in the African National Congress, in the reconstruction and development of our country.” – Witness/Beeld

Edited by Elmarie Jack

Source: News24.Com
URL: http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/Pol…/p>