More salt in Zuma's wounds
2005-06-22 08:04
Cape Town - President Thabo Mbeki is
expected to announce changes to his cabinet on Wednesday, including naming a new deputy president to replace Jacob Zuma, who was axed last week.
African National Congress (ANC) sources in parliament indicate that
Minerals and Energy Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is the frontrunner, but
this could not be immediately confirmed.
If she does get the nod, she will be the first woman to hold the post of
deputy president and the most senior woman in the cabinet in South Africa's
political history.
Government spokesperson Joel Netshitenzhe said he could not comment on when
an
announcement would be made, but government sources indicated that it was
likely
after the regular cabinet meeting in Cape Town on Wednesday.
Wednesday afternoon is understood to be the likely time for an
announcement
to coincide with the regular media briefing, but presidential spokesperson
Bheki
Khumalo was unavailable for comment late on Tuesday night.
Others mentioned as being in the running are Defence Minister Mosiuoa
Lekota, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, who acted as president when Mbeki
was
in Nigeria at the weekend, Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula, who
was recently appointed as head of government business to replace Zuma, and
Foreign Minister Nkosazana-Dlamini Zuma.
International affairs
Dlamini-Zuma is a former wife of Jacob Zuma but her key role in
international affairs could remove her from being a possible candidate.
Mlambo-Ngcuka is married to former prosecutions boss Bulelani Ngcuka who has gone into business since heading a highly successful prosecutions team.
He was the key behind focusing on Jacob Zuma as a figure who should have been prosecuted for his role in South Africa's arms deal.
On Tuesday a Markinor poll put former constitutional assembly chairperson
Cyril Ramaphosa - now a successful businessman - in the running for the post
as
heir apparent to Mbeki. Manuel and Lekota were also placed high on the
popularity lists.
Mbeki is known to favour a key role for women, which could underline
his
need to appoint one of his existing senior cabinet members - including
Mlambo-
Ngcuka or Dlamini-Zuma.
Dark horses could include Agriculture and Land
Affairs Minister Thoko Didiza and Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang.