South African President Thabo Mbeki is set to name a new deputy and may reshuffle his cabinet on Wednesday after axing Deputy President Jacob Zuma last week over a graft case, local media said on Tuesday.
“President Thabo Mbeki has indicated that he will be making a ‘relevant announcement’ with regard to changes in the executive on Wednesday afternoon,” Sapa news agency reported, quoting government spokesman Joel Netshitenzhe.
Mbeki fired Zuma last week after the man widely tipped to succeed him when his second and final term ends in 2009, was implicated in a corruption trial.
Announcing Zuma’s dismissal to parliament, Mbeki said he would later make changes to the executive, leading analysts to expect other government appointments will be announced at the same time as Zuma’s replacement.
Zuma was once seen as the natural successor to Mbeki, reflecting a 50-year-old tradition within the ruling African National Congress (ANC) of the party deputy president going on to be party president.
But analysts say Mbeki may well appoint a stand-in until the party’s next congress in 2007, where a new leadership will be elected to carry the party into general elections in 2009, when Mbeki’s second and final five-year term expires.
Zuma’s former financial adviser Schabir Shaik was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in jail in the Durban High Court earlier this month for corruption involving Zuma and for fraud.
More: reuters.co.za
Related MBA Information
SA president to name new deputy
South African President Thabo Mbeki is due to announce a new deputy president to replace Jacob Zuma, who was sacked last week. Mr Zuma was dismissed from government after his financial adviser, Schabir Shaik was convicted of corruption. Prosecutors later announced that Mr Zuma would face corruption charges and he will appear in court next week. The dismissal of Mr Mbeki's heir apparent opens up the competition for a successor when he steps down in 2009. The most likely candidates for the deputy presidency are: Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota Finance Minister Trevor Manuel Minerals and Energy Minister Phumzile
Is Africa getting serious about corruption?
South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki won plaudits this week after he sacked his Deputy Jacob Zuma. One of Mr Zuma's former financial advisors was convicted of fraud and corruption - and the court strongly criticised his relationship with Mr Zuma. Do President Mbeki's decision and a crackdown by President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria show that Africa is now serious about fighting corruption? Or are African leaders only taking decisive action when the pressure is too strong and they have no choice? Will other African countries take their lead from Presidents Mbeki and Obasanjo? More: news.bbc.co.uk
Demands for Zuma’s resignation grow in S-Africa
Knives are out for South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma, with demands for his resignation growing after his Indian-origin financial adviser Schabir Shaik was found guilty of fraud and corruption relating to dealings between the two. Durban High Court Judge Hillary Squires on Thursday convicted Shaik of corruption and fraud over payments made to Zuma totalling 1.3 million Rand (around one crore rupees) and for brokering a bribe from a French arms company for the Deputy President. Today, the country's biggest selling Sunday newspaper, the Johannesburg-based Sunday Times screamed in the headline "quit or be fired!" with a sub-headline
South Africa’s sacked deputy gains popular support
A popular groundswell is building behind Jacob Zuma, the former South African deputy president who was recently dismissed amid corruption allegations. Leftwing supporters of Mr Zuma on Tuesday launched a fund to pay his legal and other costs when he goes on trial to face two counts of corruption. The launch came a day after Cosatu, South Africa’s main trade unions federation and the ruling African National Congress’s partner in government, called on president Thabo Mbeki to reinstate his former deputy and prevent what it called a “political trial”. The backlash represents the biggest internal political challenge yet to Mr
Wolfowitz applauds Africa’s anti-corruption fight
New World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, wrapping up a four-nation African tour, on Saturday hailed a new leadership in Africa that was fighting corruption. Wolfowitz was speaking at a news conference standing beside South African President Thabo Mbeki, who last week fired his graft-tainted deputy Jacob Zuma. "There is new leadership in Africa that is taking responsibility, that is taking on these decisions and it is one of the reasons why I agree with what (Nigerian) President (Olusegun) Obasanjo said to me; Africa is on the move," Wolfowitz said. "I feel like it is on the move and I hope the World Bank
S.Africa prosecutor to announce Zuma decision
South Africa's public prosecutor's office will hold a news conference at 1430 local time (1230 GMT) on Monday to announce its decision regarding possible action against former Deputy President Jacob Zuma, an official said. "This will be the national director's decision on Zuma," National Prosecuting Authority deputy spokesperson Lucinda Moonieya said. South African President Thabo Mbeki sacked Zuma as his deputy last week after he was implicated in a high-profile graft case involving his former financial adviser Schabir Shaik. Zuma has denied any wrongdoing. Shaik, a friend of Zuma from the anti-apartheid struggle, was convicted earlier this month in the Durban High Court
S Africa’s ex-deputy president charged
South Africa's popular former deputy president Jacob Zuma will face corruption charges in a case that triggered his dismissal last week after an aide was convicted of bribing him, state prosecutors said today. The decision to put Zuma on trial is the latest blow to a powerful politician once seen as favourite to succeed President Thabo Mbeki in 2009. "We have decided to bring criminal charges," National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Makhosini Nkosi told a news conference. "On the basis of the evidence available, we think we have a case that can be successfully prosecuted ... Mr Zuma must be ready to appear in
Wolfowitz hails Africa turnaround
New World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz has praised the new generation of African leaders for their commitment to tackling corruption. At the end of his visit to the region he praised South African President Thabo Mbeki for sacking his deputy over allegations of corruption. The move was hailed as a firm step in rooting out corruption. "There's a new leadership in Africa that's taking responsibility," Mr Wolfowitz said at a press conference. More: news.bbc.co.uk
South Africa and Chile to Talk South Cooperation
South Africa´s President will start Tuesday a State Visit to Chile, where he will hold bilateral political and economic discussions with his host Ricardo Lagos Escobar, particularly expand links among nations of the South. Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad, Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota, and Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Lindiwe Hendricks will accompany Mbeki, BUA News information service reports Monday. Talks between the two presidents will center on the necessary cooperation to advance the developmental agenda of the South, said Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa. Cooperation between countries of the South is seen by many developing nations, as a way to advance
South Africa’s Zuma faces charges
South Africa's former Deputy President Jacob Zuma, who was sacked last week, is to be charged with corruption. President Thabo Mbeki dismissed Mr Zuma after his financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, was convicted of corruption and sentenced to 15 years in jail. The judge in that case had ruled that Mr Shaik had a "generally corrupt" relationship with Mr Zuma. The sacking was praised in South Africa and by donor countries as a strong signal against corruption in Africa. But many supporters of the ruling ANC party have voiced their support for Mr Zuma, who denies any wrongdoing. The National Prosecuting