SOUTH AFRICA:IN A move designed by the ruling party to ease next year's transition of power, South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki has appointed African National Congress (ANC) deputy leader Kgalema Motlanthe to the cabinet, writes BILL CORCORANin Johannesburg
Mr Motlanthe, an ally of presidential frontrunner Jacob Zuma, and well-respected throughout the ANC, is believed to have been assigned the task of trying to heal the many rifts that have appeared among party members as a result of the power struggle between Mr Mbeki and Mr Zuma.
After more than six months of pressure from the ANC's national executive committee (NEC), which is led by Mr Zuma, Mr Mbeki finally assigned Mr Motlanthe duties currently held by his deputy, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
"Mr Motlanthe will be responsible, for amongst other tasks, the co-ordination of government business," a statement from Mbeki's presidency said.
The forced appointment, which was agreed by the ANC's NEC last November at a party conference, is seen by some as an attempt to undermine Mr Mbeki's power as it compromises his ability to hire and fire senior appointees.
Mr Zuma seized control of the ANC at the November conference in Polokwane from Mr Mbeki, but the latter remains president of the country until next year's general election when his second term in office ends.
While publicly the ANC has been trying to portray a united front, members of government loyal to Mr Mbeki claim the party has been trying to undermine the government to appease the grassroot ANC supporters who voted for Mr Zuma and prepare for the next presidency.
The ANC has publicly condemned Zimbabwe's ruling regime even though Mr Mbeki, who has been assigned by regional leaders to mediate in the crisis, has said public condemnation of Mr Mugabe's regime will not help the situation.
On Sunday it was reported the ANC national executive committee was set to sack two of Mr Mbeki's supporters, Western Cape premier Ebrahim Rasool and Eastern Cape premier Nosimo Balindlela, with immediate effect.
Although the party would not confirm the report, a spokesperson said officials were travelling to the provinces to address the problems, and that the reported sackings "may be a product at the end of that process".
Opposition parties have welcomed Mr Motlanthe's appointment. While Mr Zuma is seen as Mr Mbeki's natural successor, Mr Motlanthe is the person most likely to take the presidency should the ANC leader be convicted on the corruption charges he must face.