Mbeki right in firing me - Zuma
17/04/2007 23:27  - (SA)  

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Former deputy president Jacob Zuma enjoys a joke during his address to the Cape Town Press Club. (Denzil Maregele, Die Burger)

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Donwald Pressly

Cape Town - African National Congress deputy president Jacob Zuma has defended President Thabo Mbeki's decision to axe him as the nation's deputy president nearly two years ago.

He was asked on Tuesday at the Cape Town Press Club about his relationship with Mbeki - who is expected to stand down as president of the ANC in December.

"He is a friend of mine. He is a comrade. We have worked together," he said.

He said the decision Mbeki had taken to remove him as deputy president had been explained "very well".

Mbeki had obligations under the constitution of the country to do so, said Zuma.

Zuma was dismissed ahead of a corruption trial involving South Africa's arms deal.

Expected to be nominated

The trial collapsed last year, but Zuma is expected to appear in court again this year.

Zuma, who was replaced as the nation's deputy president by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, remains deputy president of the ruling African National Congress.

He is widely expected to be nominated for the position of president of the party to replace Mbeki.

Zuma was adamant on Tuesday, however, that the ANC did not select leaders as they did in the United States where presidential candidates canvassed and campaigned for the position.

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