Here is the full text of the ANC’s statement firing President Thabo Mbeki:
STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE ANC
Over the past two days, the National Executive Committee of the ANC
has deliberated on the Pietermaritzburg Court judgement on the 12th of
September 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
to remain 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.
See also:
Mbeki’s address to the nation: Major extracts
How to fire a president: What the constitution says
The end of the road for Mbeki
Related posts:
If the process of the departure of President Mbeki and the Arrival of President Zuma proceeds smoothly, it will strengthen the democracy we are trying to build in South Africa. A peaceful transition of power is the cornerstone of any democratic institution, and if this can be achieved through the process at hand, it will build on the positive example set by the departure of Nelson Mandela, and help create a positive platform and tradition from which the process can grow into the future. People are by nature wary and nervous of change, but I am heartened by the fact that the ANC as an organisation, has had the power and the will to unseat an incumbent President. Surely that is what a democracy is all about? The will of the people being given effect without fear or favour. Naturally, we will never be privy to the machinations behind the scenes, but then neither will we ever be privy to similar machinations behind the scenes of the worlds largest and most respected democracies. The existence of these manipulations is nothing new, and can be traced back to antiquity. They are as distateful but yet as much part of the human condition as are morning mouth and athletes foot.
Whether President Zuma will be an effective, worthy and responsible successor is an entirely different question.
Honourable Mbeki is a leader of high calibre who is educated,innovative,creative and understood what he was doing by firing Jzee as a Deputy President. If he can open his own party and contest against ANC, watch out ANC-NEC! Mbeki will be our next president!!
The ANC (as it was) is a disgrace to South Africa and its people, There should be an election called right now, and we should get a government (no matter which party) that serves the people; which is not self centered and will eradicate crime and corruption; that will deal with influx control and present a clean administration based on true values and principles. The ANC has proven that they don’t have a clue where they are going. The ANC had its innings, and should now resign in shame! Stand back and allow another sound party to rescue what they have messed up. Apartheid is long gone, but the ANC leadership still portray Racism on a regular basis (latest Mboweni and the ANC Youth League) To those incompetent ANC government ministers (not all), enough is enough; Resign, stand back and show your honor! Give able Leader the opportunity it is in the interest of our Nation and our dear beloved Country, South Africa.
I do not want to be seen as a person with only criticism:- I can provide a solution too:
What South Africa needs is a Nation Builder which comprises of a group of elected individuals focusing on aspects that will empower our Nation.
1. Government should only be an administrative body serving the initiatives of the Nation Builders.
2. The power of our Nation must vest in the people of our country, not with Government officials.
3. Empower our Nation and make them proud, give them back what they need.
• Security
• Health
• Safety
• Employment
• Pride!
Scrap old ideas, and get us a clean slate, give us new blood, and renewed focus! DO IT NOW!!
what is Zuma qualification, the rest of us are constantly reminded of the qualification we dont have to adchieve anything in life
Sefu Sekgala
September 20, 2008 at 6:40 pmDictatorial leaders around Africa are smiling. Yes, its true, is not so cool to be a leader of a Democratic country and a Good one for that matter. Be a Great leader, you may be purged, but be a great leader anyway. That is the massage I will be passing on to my children and Grand Children.
The boil within the ANC has nothing to do with the country’s stabilty. The current ANC has a lot of Scores to settle with Thibos, no Doubt about that.
Thabo Mbeki is one of the Greatest leaders of Our times, If you don’t believe me Just take a pick on how most of African leaders are Like, Thabo is not only a Great African Leader, but a Great Global Leader.
Out of 100% of the ANC members who don’t want Mbeki, 80% are careerists and 20% are Ethnics’. The ANC vote will be strong among the poor whose support for Zuma is mostly tribal. They speak all kind of languages, and just want a different tribe to Rule, at all costs.
SA’s middle class will be more confused as to who to vote for.
THE TIME AND OPPORTUNITY HAS COME:
Mbeki must establish his own party. He may win or loose, and so is life, sometimes you win sometimes you loose.
We need Mbeki to stay active in the South African politics. SA Politics are fraught, the ANC is too powerful. The amount of power the ANC as an organization has is the root of poverty in South Africa. No Man under the Son can resist such power, if Mbeki was power Drunk, Zuma is already getting Power drunk, and he will be fully drunk by the end of his term.
Mbeki owes it to his supporters both in and outside government to establish a party that will make it easier for some people to go to the polls.
Mbeki needs to rescue the political career of those who backed him, and he needs to keep himself active in SA politics.
It would be easier for anyone to put a cross next to Thabo Mbeki’s face, we have done it before.
Mbeki’s party is the only one that can normalize the current ANC. The ANC as it is is not a healthy thing our country needs.
If people are planning for Zuma to Serve his term and launch a come back strategy, they must forget it. People forget very quickly.
SA is calling for history to be made, Thabo Mbeki stand up and make history.
If Thabo Mbeki succeeds, his credibility and reputation will be re-stored.
If he fails, he has nothing to loose.
Poor service delivery is brought by the Super power that ANC has.
It is time for Good to prevail over evil.