ANC deputy appointed to Cabinet
2008-07-12 22:27
Johannesburg - President
Thabo Mbeki appointed African National Congress (ANC) deputy
leader Kgalema Motlanthe to his Cabinet on Saturday after months
of pressure from the ruling party.
"Mr Motlanthe will be responsible, for amongst other tasks,
the co-ordination of government business," a statement from
Mbeki's presidency said.
Motlanthe, a powerful ally of party leader Jacob Zuma, was
was appointed to parliament in May as part of
plans for him to enter government.
The former student activist, trade unionist and soldier in
the ANC's disbanded military wing UmKhonto we Sizwe was elected
the party's deputy president when Zuma became president in
December last year.
The ANC executive had asked Mbeki to bring Motlanthe into
Cabinet to manage the transfer of power when Mbeki steps down at
the expiry of his term next year.
Analysts believe bringing Motlanthe - a left-leaning
intellectual who is well-regarded in both the Mbeki and Zuma
camps - into government could help heal some of the differences
that have developed between Mbeki's government and the
Zuma-controlled ANC and allow for an easier transition in 2009.
Mbeki's hold on government is seen to be slipping as he
draws closer to the end of his second and final term in 2009.
Mbeki has come under pressure from
unions and leftists who oppose his pro-business
policies.
His worries also include a dire electricity shortage that
threatens to trim economic growth and widespread criticism over
his quiet diplomacy stance on dealing with the crisis in
neighbouring Zimbabwe.
Zuma, who defeated Mbeki for the ANC leadership in party
elections late last year, is the frontrunner to take over after
general elections next April.
But a corruption trial hanging over his head could force
Zuma to stand down from the presidential race, with some
analysts suggesting Motlanthe could step in as a compromise
presidential candidate if that happens.
Zuma was expected to go on trial in August for bribery,
fraud and other wrongdoing in connection with an arms deal, but
his lawyers say the start is likely to be pushed back for
procedural reasons.