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