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Internal feud in ANC growing

CAPE TOWN: President Thabo Mbeki on Thursday faced questions in Parliament amid a growing rift within his African National Congress party over his firing of his Deputy President. Former Deputy President Jacob Zuma, who goes on trial next year on corruption charges, has made it increasingly plain that he will not drop his ambitions to succeed Mr. Mbeki, who under the Constitution cannot run again after his second term expires in 2009. The Opposition Democratic Alliance has argued that the political feud is hampering daily Government activities and even compromised the nation's spy agency. South Africa's Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils last week suspended National Intelligence Agency Director-General Billy Masethla, his deputy and the agency's general manager and on Wednesday announced a review of the agency. The three suspended men allegedly mounted an illegal surveillance operation of a politician-turned businessman, Saki Macozoma. Mr. Macozoma is reportedly a firm ally of Mr. Mbeki and is expected to wield considerable influence in the debate about who should succeed Mr. Mbeki. Suspended intelligence chief Mr. Masethla is said to be close to Mr. Zuma. Senior members of the Government have closed ranks behind Mr. Mbeki, but Mr. Zuma commands widespread support among the party rank and file and its powerful Youth League. Mr. Zuma was received with adulation on Wednesday when he delivered a lecture in Johannesburg honouring the late ANC president Oliver Tambo.

AP

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