Cablegate: Anc National Executive Committee Statement

O 221644Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY PRETORIA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5782
INFO AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS PRETORIA 002095

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SF
SUBJECT: ANC NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE STATEMENT
RECALLING MBEKI

1. On 21 September, The National Executive Council (NEC) of
the ruling African National Congress (ANC) announced that
President Thabo Mbeki was told to step down, which he did the
following day. In explanation of this decision, ANC
Secretary Gwede Mantashe said the ANC admired Mbeki's many
years of service and accomplishment. However, in response to
press questions, he explained that the two centers of power
problem in the ANC had to be resolved, and that the prospect
of the NPA reopening the corruption trial against ANC
President Zuma precipitated this decision as Zuma supporters
believe Mbeki was leading a political conspiracy to persecute
and prosecute Zuma.

2. Text of ANC National Executive Committee Statement.

20 September 2008

Over the past two days, the National Executive Committee of
the ANC has deliberated on the Pietermaritzburg decision by
Judge Chris Nicholson.

In particular, we have focused on the implications of the
judgement for our movement, and for our people as a whole.

The judgement has had a profound impact on many aspects of
our legal system. It has obviously also had an impact on the
affairs of the ANC.

We wish to assert to you that our most important task as a
revolutionary movement is the stability of our country and
the unity and cohesion of the ANC. Our movement has been
through a trying period and we are determined to heal the
rifts that may exist.

In the light of this, and after a long and difficult
discussion, the ANC has decided to recall the President of
the Republic before his term of office expires.

Our decision has been communicated to him.

The formalities are now subject of a Parliamentary process
and, we can assure you, will take place in a way which
ensures smooth running of government.

We acknowledge with deep admiration all the great strides our
country has made under the stewardship of President Mbeki. He
remains a loyal cadre of our movement and we will continue to
work closely with him on matters relating to our desire to
achieve a developmental state.

We will follow with precision all the constitutional
requirements to ensure that interim arrangements are in place
to ensure the smooth running of the government.

In the coming days, the President of the ANC will meet with
ANC deployees in government to assure them that the NEC would
wish for them toremain in Government.

To the citizens of South Africa, we make the commitment that
we share their desire for stability and for a peaceful and
prosperous South Africa. We believe that our decision is in
the interests of making that a secure reality.

Issued: African National Congress

3. End text.
BOST

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