Mbeki goes without rancour
2008-09-22 10:36
Johannesburg - President Thabo Mbeki on Sunday used his farewell speech to the
nation to defend his legacy and repel accusations that he had exerted
pressure on the National Prosecuting Authority to charge ANC President
Jacob Zuma.
Announcing his resignation on national television, Mbeki disputed a
ruling by Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Chris Nicholson that Mbeki
may have been involved in a political conspiracy against Zuma.
"I would like to state this categorically that we have never done
this and never compromised the right of the National Prosecuting
Authority to decide whom it should prosecute and not prosecute," said
Mbeki who was recalled as president by the ANC on Saturday.
Addressing the media on Saturday ANC secretary-general Gwede
Mantashe said the decision to recall the president was taken "as an effort to heal and unite the African National Congress".
He said the decision was a political way to deal with the
implications of Judge Nicholson's ruling.
Mbeki 'not being punished'
He added that Mbeki was not being punished and would be "given space
to participate in activities".
Mbeki, who displayed no signs of resentment over the ANC's decision
to recall him, said on Sunday that he was leaving behind a government
that had made a difference to South Africans.
"I depart this Office conscious that the sterling work done by the
Presidency, the Ministries and departments, the provinces and local
government structures will continue, driven by the determination to
achieve the goal of a better life for all," he said.
He urged the nation not to be despondent over his departure.
"As we said before, we should never become despondent because the
weather is bad nor should we turn triumphalist because the sun shines.
"... gloom and despondency have never defeated adversity," he said.
The ANC had a pool of talented cadres capable of taking the country
forward.
"I am convinced that the incoming administration will better the
work done during the past 14-and-a-half years so that poverty,
underdevelopment, unemployment, illiteracy, challenges of health, crime
and corruption will cease to define the lives of many of our people,"
he said.
- SAPA