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Mbeki fights on

2008-09-19 08:24

Staff reporters

Cape Town - Top leaders in the ANC still agree that President Thabo Mbeki should complete his term, but the pressure to get rid of him increased on Thursday.

The party's national executive committee (NEC) will be meeting in Kempton Park on Friday, and the consequences of Judge Chris Nicholson's ruling regarding Mbeki's political interference in the Jacob Zuma case is on the agenda.

Mbeki was described on Thursday as a "chess master that will fight to the end" and one who still has some options left.

It would seem that his opponents may have overplayed their hand and unleashed a backlash.

Dead snake

Julius Malema, leader of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL), said: "Fine, we are leaving this dead snake, but we must bury it, it is dead now... we are no longer beating it and we are burying this snake this weekend".

He added that the ANCYL had already convinced the majority of NEC members that Mbeki should go.

Malema threatened that any ANC leaders opposing Mbeki's dismissal would be suspended.

Indications were still that the ANC's national working committee would recommend to the NEC that Mbeki should step down, although there were still conflicting opinions.

Impact on the ANC, country

A Cabinet member serving on the NEC said most, or maybe even all six of the ANC's top leaders, agreed that Mbeki should serve his full term.

"We should not only consider the impact of an early exit by Mbeki on the ANC, but on the country as a whole, with regard to service delivery, the world economy and international relations."

He also said there was no truth in the rumour that Cabinet was preparing for an early resignation. On Thursday a special Cabinet meeting was held after ministers were told of the meeting only the previous evening.

At the meeting, Cabinet received a submission from Mbeki's legal advisers. "Mbeki spoke right at the end, and then only to summarise what the advisors had said."

Apparently Zuma called Mbeki in on Wednesday evening, something that at this stage is still being denied.

Appeal

On Thursday morning, Cabinet decided to investigate the possibility of an appeal against the Nicholson ruling.

It was also decided that Cabinet members would not allow themselves to be affected by these events, and would continue with their work.

Another Cabinet member and member of the NEC said that he hadn't got the impression during the Cabinet meeting that Mbeki was preparing to resign.

Cabinet spokesperson Themba Maseko told the parliamentary press corps that Cabinet members were "deployed cadres", with the assumption that they could be withdrawn by the ANC.

Presidential spokesperson Mukoni Ratshitanga did not want to predict Mbeki's actions should the ANC demand his resignation.

The ANC cannot legally force Mbeki to resign because when he was elected president, he ceased to be a Member of Parliament. He can only be dismissed through a motion of no confidence by Parliament.

(Reporting team: Carien du Plessis, Jan-Jan Joubert, Pieter du Toit, Philda Essop and Rajaa Azzakani)

- Beeld


James 9/19/2008 8:36:14 AM
Hie kom kak. Let the president serve his term. More trouble for the economy if the bullies get their way. Our normal citizens are already struggling. The bullies don't care, they are all set with their luxury care and holiday houses

x 9/19/2008 8:50:26 AM
It is amazing the a YOUTH LEAGUE with a 40yr leader seems to think that what they say goes and that they get away with the racist comments and threats that they do. ALL are supposed to be equal before the law

fatman 9/19/2008 8:51:20 AM
and this amidst high crime ,unemployment,tough economic situation and more.These children choose to have little squabbles irrespective of the state of the country.

KG 9/19/2008 8:53:24 AM
Malema continues to be a reckless and disrespectful youth. Its either he has no regard for the constituion or he does not know what the constituion say with regard to removing a President. In African culture even if you do not like a pesrson, you still refer to him as Mr (Ntate). He is behaving like a person who was either not raised properly or who raised himself.

MG Mthombeni 9/19/2008 8:57:19 AM
May we abide by the wisdom JZ has. Let Mbeki finish his term because firing her tantamounts to adhering Zille (DA)thinking. We should please SA governance not DA evil approaches. He made his mistake in the same vein stabilised economic thinking while it was not good for JZ',however he prepared something good for JZ'legacy as it stands today. Xola Zulu

JK 9/19/2008 8:59:20 AM
Julius Malema should maybe read his copy of "Politics for Dummies"...It would be really silly for Parliament to pass a vote of no confidence as that means that Parliament would be disbanded and elections must take place in 90 days. I don't think the Parliamentarians want to scupper their own jobs and the ANC has already said it's not ready for elections yet.

Paul Montele 9/19/2008 9:02:23 AM
Mbeki should do the honourable thing & tell his cronnies 2 back off they have lost it, some are threatining resign forgetting that they were deployed to those positions & they can be recalled, IF MBEKI HAS THE INTEREST OF THE COUNTRY & THE ANC @ HEART HE WILL TAKE RIGHT DECISION & BOW OUT PEACEFULLY, EVEN THOSE WHO ARE NOT IN FAVOUR OF JZ WILL AGREE THAT MBEKI AND NPA ARE MOTIVATED BY PERSONAL ISSUES HERE, IT IS NO LONGER A LEGAL MATTER ANC WOULDN'T BE CONTEMPLATING AXING HIM BUT HE'S ASKING 4 IT

JP 9/19/2008 9:02:29 AM
I believe that the people voted Mbeki in as president, so why can't the people have a vote on this issue, is democracy finally dead in Africa? Who is Julius Malema to make these decisions on behalf of our beloved country? Since when does the Youth League determine our futures? Malema needs to mature, he's obviously a good politician, but leaving our fates in hands at this time is suicide, it almost like leaving our fate in the hands of someone with a long list of criminal offences.

scrawl 9/19/2008 9:03:34 AM
someone, please shut julius malema up. the press is giving this guy so much airtime, you would think he is on the nec himself. yes, he is like a petulant child. why the anc allows him to comment on matters above his "paygrade" is beyond me. c'mon anc, c'mon jz - show some backbone.

Concerned 9/19/2008 9:09:14 AM
Mbeki was too arrogant and out of touch with reality. He has destroyed his own legacy and divided the country. He failed to show leadership in 2005 when he fired his deputy without consulting his party and the other role players. The ANC must chop his head and let Mbete take over until the elections nexy year. The ANC and the country is bigger than one man. Let this be an example to all the other dictators in Africa. Out with Mbeki now !!!

Clive 9/19/2008 9:10:05 AM
Malema is behaving like a naughty child and should be treated like one If only our government had the balls to do it!!

Anon 9/19/2008 9:12:11 AM
Who does Julius Malema think he is - making comments like that. Does he think he has the power to force the president to resign and to suspend members of the ANC who opposes him!!The ANC leaders should put him in his place for making these insulting, racist remark once and for all. Zuma cannot be forced as president on the contry by the outspoken 40 year old ANCYL leader. I dont have faith anymore in our president but surely this is not the right way of doing things!

Natalie 9/19/2008 9:13:46 AM
Julius Malema is certainly giving SA a very bad name. Based on his outrageous comments, threats and demands, I dread to imagine what will happen to this country once Mr Mbeki finishes his term. If our "youth league" is to be run by a disrespectful idiot like this, we are in for some serious trouble!!

Die Denker 9/19/2008 9:14:35 AM
Isn't it a fact that, according to the United Nations, you are considered to be part of the Youth if under the age of 30? At the age of 35 you can be elected to the Presidency of the United States. And South Africa. Is the ANC so insecure about their "Youth" members that they have to get 38/40 year old "neverbeens" to lead their "Youth"?

JP 9/19/2008 9:15:35 AM
Seems like he calls the shots in the ANC, not President Mbeki or even ANC leader Zuma!! A YOUTH LEAGUE led by a 40 yr old ( is this correct, he looks more like 30?)!! That's absolutely ridiculous. That's why so many people just want to up and leave our country!! I can only imagine the socio economic implications of the president being axed because he was brave enough to allow JUSTICE to run it's course!!

Paul Montele 9/19/2008 9:18:06 AM
WHO IS 40 YEARS IN THE ANCYL? YOUR COMMENTS ARE THOSE OF COUNTER-REVOLUTIONARIES.

N 9/19/2008 9:19:15 AM
you can do what ever you want but do not disturb peace,economy,human rights and our democracy. Mmbwa yala inwe a inoni.

Marius Wicky 9/19/2008 9:19:57 AM
Democracy....? Democrazy !!!!

Paul Montele 9/19/2008 9:20:27 AM
SOME HAVE FORGOT PETER MOKABA, CHRIS HANI AND SO FORTH, THEY USED TO TELL IT AS IT IS, AS MOTLHANTLE HAS MENTIONED WE NEED ROBUST AND MILITANT ANCYL.

Thabani Msomi 9/19/2008 9:21:09 AM
Ngicabanga ukuthi umalema uphoxa intsha yalelizwe da way akhuluma ngayo ngo Mengameli udinga impela ukuqondiswa afundiswe indlela yokukhuluma,ngoba uzoba ngumongameli wakusasa naye uMalema.

Bulelani 9/19/2008 9:23:10 AM
Currently what I see now is that, the ANC don't care about South Africans. Because the effects of what you saying can be dangerous enough to collapse the country.

mOSES KA MOYO 9/19/2008 9:24:10 AM
"Fine, we are leaving this dead snake, but we must bury it, it is dead now...we are no longer beating it and we are burying this snake this weekend."

Mangaliso 9/19/2008 9:33:42 AM
Julias Malema is an imbarasment to himself, the ANCYL, the ANC and the country. Since his term began as the president of the YL, he has not had a single positive contribution to the couintry, and has bee a bad influence to the youth of this country. If anyone should step down, it should be him. Mangaliso

Die Denker 9/19/2008 9:34:04 AM
I mean, coming to think of it, even the staunch, conservative, "Ou Toppies" of the Broederbond considered under 30's to be their youth (Ruiterwag) - Now that is showing confidence in the Youth!!!

Neels Delport 9/19/2008 9:34:52 AM
All we hear the whole time MBEKI must go, what is then going to happen?. Could somebody just shed some light on the issue. Who will then be President of the country?, when will the next elections be? Are the ANC ready for that? and so forth....

M 9/19/2008 9:35:43 AM
I cannot believe what this child is doing,he is behaving like a high school head boy.No respect for adults?Who elected him?He needs a hiding...

Franky 9/19/2008 9:37:21 AM
Julius Malema seems to have been raised improperly, without values and due respect for the elders.Who is he to impose leaders on us?If he and his cronies respect this country and its constitution, why do they tell us who the next president should be.Is that not the equivalent of dictatorship?SA is really going down the drain,because of a bunch of politicians with personal, greedy and corrupt ambitions.Sure, JZ's incapacity to lead the country is going to be exposed very shortly.

Loyi 9/19/2008 9:38:03 AM
Julius is behaving like a delinquent (injubaqa in Xhosa).He must learn some respect, firstly of himself-its evident that he does not respect himself.Who raised you boy? As for the ANC, it must just know we are not its possession but choose to vote for it and we can still un-choose it if it carries on in this dispicable manner.BEWARE OF THE QUIET VOICE!!Its so pathetic to see people in arms over leadership or perhaps should I say 'power'?Get your house in order.Give us proper leadership plse.

Chris-T 9/19/2008 9:38:13 AM
Malema is not 40. He's about 29 or 30 and he is an NEC member. Mbeki should resign, if not he will be pushed out. There's nothing anyone can do about that. He asked JZ to resign in 2005, so he can lead the way in that regard. Just a few moons back everybody was criticising the way the govt has run down medical care, education, rampant crime, electricity problems, this and that...now Mbeki is good and should not be pushed away! Get your marbles right people and know what you want.

Dave Robbins 9/19/2008 9:39:22 AM
is threaten to appoint a commission of inquiry into the Arms Deal unless he is allowed to serve out his term. Now, should the inquiry go ahead, it will raise some potentially embarrassing points (the reasons behind the Schaik-Zuma payments, etc.) and could finger who had their fingers in the pie. Possibility?

Lanza 9/19/2008 9:39:33 AM
As far as idiots go hey - Malema has to be very highly ranked. And I think its a pity that the leaders of the ANC has allowed this to continue. Is this how the new government will run the country???

aj 9/19/2008 9:40:42 AM
I agree 100% -the press are giving Malema too much coverage probably just to make our blood boil!! He comes across as an aggressive racist militant who thinks he has power - how can he threaten to dismiss anyone? Leave it to the big boys Julius to be a bit more diplomatic!

JP 9/19/2008 9:42:26 AM
You're part of the problem. No problem with the ANC, but ANCYL, and Cosatu is killing this country.

Gary 9/19/2008 9:42:50 AM
It appears to me as if Julius Malema is in charge of all the decisions made. He makes the threats. He is constantly in the media. Do the rest of the ANC leadership have a voice or what. Is it possible that he, Malema, is waiting in the wings for the day Zuma is forced to withdraw his candidacy for President?

Cde FeatherMore PPK Montlhabaki 9/19/2008 9:44:14 AM
Mbeki has divided the ANC and the country and he has never showed any respect for the ruling party and its members. In his dictatorial rule he has ignored Khutsong dibacle and fired his deputy and appointed premiers. its high time the ANC show us how strong it is than MBEKI himself.

Blaza 9/19/2008 9:45:45 AM
they want to remove Mbeki, the Malema's of this world should bear in mind that South Africa is part of an international community and since we are hosting the 2010 world cup all eyes are on us.FIFA is very sensitive when it comes to political interference.Quite frankly we are all tired of Mbeki and his favouritism but we need to look beyond settling cheap personal battles for the sake of the country.

Anon 9/19/2008 9:45:52 AM
Yes, the signs are there for everyone to see. The road ahead for South Africa is indeed bleak. Show me one country in Africa that is peacefull, prosperous and a success story. SA on the same downhill road with ANCYL and her cronies

Swades 9/19/2008 9:46:09 AM
May be the media should stop giving so much print space to Julius and his garbage rhetoric - he is only being made impt by the reports printed abt him and the ludicrous comments he makes. Stop publicising any thing he says May be then he will shut up! He certainly does not represent the youth of our country - he cannot - he is over age!!

Myself 9/19/2008 9:46:36 AM
While JZ becomming president is a certainty, forcing TM out early will just cause chaos. What if the situations were reversed and it was JZ being forced out? 9 out of 10 chances, were that to happen, it would probably be because of Malema as well. He loves being in the spotlight, nothing else. If Zuma lost the election (though the chances of that are next to nothing), Malema would simply throw him away and focus on whoever was in power at the time. Anything to further his own postion.

BM 9/19/2008 9:48:47 AM
I agree with the ANCYL, Mbeki needs to go now. He himself has fired a lot of people who simply disagreed with him, yes, it was his prerogative as the president of the country - to fire and hire at will. Also, it's the ANC's prerogative to recall him as he was deployed by it. What goes around comes around...

Mawethu 9/19/2008 9:50:15 AM
I dont understand Malema's politics, he must get the lessons before ageze seemingly he is arrogant engazi lutho, mfethu umdala kuwena umengameli, sukukhuluma nje nawe ungumengameli wentsha. please back off. uJZ is one of the best leaders becuase he is still saying let the president finish his term.

Blaza 9/19/2008 9:50:28 AM
they want to remove Mbeki, the Malema's of this world should bear in mind that South Africa is part of an international community and since we are hosting the 2010 world cup all eyes are on us.FIFA is very sensitive when it comes to political interference.Quite frankly we are all tired of Mbeki and his favouritism but we need to look beyond settling cheap personal battles for the sake of the country.

Hera 9/19/2008 9:52:15 AM
... as a world leader, he should realize that Malema and his inflamatory comments are fast becoming a political liability for him.

siphiwe kubheka 9/19/2008 9:52:42 AM
Brother you have lost respect, and you are a digrace to your family and to the youth of south africa, this not the way you were raised brother, show respect to our the president, he must remember that we can do the same to him as member of the youth league, we can toi toi to have him removed from that post you must remember that Brother.

MM 9/19/2008 9:55:33 AM
Malema is nothing but a holigan with no respect or morals i don't know how he was elected for me he has no clue of POLITICAL MATTERS. Amaizing that President Mbeki is seen like somebody they can not trust based on a matter that still needs to be investigated. What about the crimes that were commited by their very own President who publicly admitted that he sleep with a woman and took a shower to clean himself,nobody is perfect . Malema must remember that this involves a nation not ANC only.

Mandla 9/19/2008 9:57:28 AM
Mbeki has weakened the ANC and this is bad for the black people of this country. I agree with Malema, kick him out quick. Those racist whites that want to leave the country, Fo a change, stop saying you will leave, do us a favour and ship out! Viva ANC, we will survive the Mbeki disaster.

no name 9/19/2008 9:57:52 AM
i think mbeki must stay till his term go finish and think also that malema he got something better for south africa or else he no everything about zuma why he want our president to resigned immediatly mybe he give us a glue what is going on we as south african some answer can be found from malema he got some more

anzani 9/19/2008 9:58:18 AM
if zuma is not guilty why cant he let NPA use the document they have taken away from him or the documents from mauritius so that this fight can end. ANC and its allience are suppose to be helping poor people and our econmy, not fighting like primary kids.

JONATHAN 9/19/2008 10:00:37 AM
Any of you who think Malema is some kind of hero are sorely mistaken. Listen to the guy speak or conduct an interview and you will comprehend just what a waste of position the man is. Sure he is blindly patriotic to a cause but what good is that when you can hear that logic doesn't even begin to enter his mind? Surely any political figure should be open to debate? Its easy to see just how disconnected this man is from reality. To compare him to Chris Hani is ridiculous - you should be ashamed!!

Raboteng 9/19/2008 10:00:57 AM
Malema has shown his immaturity in all statement He does. All the time when He opens his Mouth He is Speaking Rubish. Who can save South Africa from this Boy please because He is just an embarrassment

marian van der walt 9/19/2008 10:00:57 AM
can mbeki smile?

Chandelier 9/19/2008 10:01:18 AM
As bad as it is that Malema leads the youth, he is also envoking the country now. This boy has no respect to say the least. He is stupid and can not think ahead. After Thabo has resigned, what will be his role? Will he find another culprit to insult and threaten??? I am not sure. To me he is used as the left wing spoke person - and by the way I am pro Msholozi - but I hate malema's conduct.......

LS 9/19/2008 10:08:03 AM
getting rid of Mmbeki is not the answer to S.A.'s problems, we will be even deeper than before if Zuma is elected!! What is to become of the Whites in S.A. we are already suppressed in every direction, and you call this a democratic country. Everyone knows ANC is for the non-white community only!!!

Die Denker 9/19/2008 10:10:14 AM
Fikile Mbalula, previous leader of ANCYL, was 37. I don't know how old Malema is. ANC allows up to 38 to be members of YL, I think. My contention thus remains.

tatenda gwatirisa 9/19/2008 10:10:59 AM
Those who seek absolute power, even though they seek it to do what they regard as good, are simply demanding the right to enforce their own version of heaven on earth. And let me remind you, they are the very ones who always create the most hellish tyrannies. Absolute power does corrupt, and those who seek it must be suspect and must be opposed.

ashley 9/19/2008 10:12:06 AM
the comments that this clown make prove that he is just another african wannabe politition

Thato 9/19/2008 10:12:34 AM
quite frankly i think the jugdes commnets on the TM interferece was quite irresposible as his opinions was based on falacies than facts.

Uhuru 9/19/2008 10:13:56 AM
The fighting within the ANC is a total disgrace and we are the laughing stock of world and of our previous oppressors. J MAlema (Phd. idiot) is a special character..As the ANC youth leader he continues to make stupid statements..what example is he setting for the children of our country. If the elders of the ANC let this trigger happy boy carry on like this we will not vote for the ANC in the future. we do not want people like him running our country.we young people wont vote for mediocre leaders

Benedict 9/19/2008 10:14:24 AM
I quote Malema as saying this" Malema threatened that any ANC leaders opposing Mbeki's dismissal would be suspended.". Is the freedom of speech still free. Get real bra, or go back to class Political Science class.

Thabo 9/19/2008 10:15:47 AM
If anyone (ANC/DA/ID/Zuma supporters or not) is in any doupt as to the fact Thabo Mbeki is a divisive figure in the ruling party and the country, then they living on the moon. GO NOW Mr President, and let those who come after you begin the healing process. The people of SA simply no longer want you and are willing to take our chances with whoever else. You are only but one man.

eugine 9/19/2008 10:28:21 AM
PAUL PLEASE BE REALISTIC, ROBUST AND MILITANT AGAINST WHAT OR WHO. PEOPLE IN S.A HAVE BIGGER PROBLEMS THAN THIS STUPIDITY ESPECIALLY THE BLACK YOUTH. AS A BLACK YOUTH MY IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS ARE HIV, LACK OF SKILLS/EMPLOYMENT, THE EDUCATION SYSTEM AND A NUMBER OF OTHER PRESSING ISSUES. AND THIS IS THE AGENDA THE YOUTH LEADER SHOULD BE ADVANCING NOT THE VOMIT OUT OF MALEMA'S MOUTH. GOD HAVE MESSY.

Francois 9/19/2008 10:31:16 AM
The clowns are there (Malema) the puppet master (JZ) the cartoonist (Shapiro) and the amazed spectators (all of us) All of these people can be arrested for operating a circus without a license. Shaik was found guilty of bribery and corruption involving Zuma. It seems strange that Zuma is now fighting the courts after his mate was found guilty of bribing him. Malema should be repremanded on his behaviour because I am sure that President Mbeki is still in a higher post than him?

Tebogo M 9/19/2008 10:31:44 AM
Who the hell u think u are? talking to the elders like that u are a disrespectful human being.You are not a good leader at all.

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