'It is business as usual'
2008-01-23 08:01
Pretoria - The government said
on Tuesday it remained firmly under the control of President
Thabo Mbeki, dismissing concerns that his defeat in
the battle to lead the ruling party had made him a lame duck.
Mbeki's defeat prompted widespread speculation that the Zuma camp
would pressure cabinet members to switch allegiance, effectively
establishing a parallel government and preventing Mbeki from
governing for his final two years in office.
The constitution prohibits Mbeki from running for a third
term in 2009. Zuma, who does not have a formal position in the
government, is seen as the frontrunner to succeed him.
Political uncertainty has been fuelling investor fears that
Zuma, who has strong ties to labour unions, might
heed his leftist backers and alter the centrist policies
credited with supporting the country's economic boom.
Zuma has assured investors there is no need to worry, saying
that core government policies would not change if he led
Africa's economic powerhouse.
Government spokesperson Themba Maseko set out to reassure
investors that Mbeki was firmly in control of the government.
"It is business as usual. Cabinet is running under the
authority of the president," he told a news conference in
Pretoria after the first regular cabinet meeting since the party
leadership vote.
Growing speculation
"We are confident that the business of government will
continue with the support of the ruling party," Maseko said.
Zuma is due to go on trial in August for racketeering, money
laundering, fraud and corruption in connection with an arms
deal.
Speculation has been growing that the ANC, now controlled by
pro-Zuma officials, would pressure Mbeki to bring ANC deputy
pesident Kgalema Motlanthe into the cabinet, possibly replacing
deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
Some have argued that Motlanthe, who also tilts to the left,
could become a second deputy president alongside Mlambo-Ngcuka.
Motlanthe's entry into the cabinet would give the ANC direct
access to state power and open the way for him to become
president if Zuma were forced to pull out of the race because of
legal troubles.
It could also ease growing concerns that Mbeki and the
Zuma-controlled ANC might engage in a divisive power struggle
that would distract the government from its priorities of
fighting poverty, Aids and crime.
Maseko said the question of whether to give Motlanthe an
influential government position was not discussed at the cabinet
meeting and would not be covered in a broader government
strategy meeting this week.
"When he (Mbeki) is ready, if there is a concrete proposal,
he will consider it," Maseko said.