ID :
13723
Thu, 07/24/2008 - 20:02
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/13723
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Indian provincial premier forced to quit amid ANC infighting
Durban, July 24 (PTI) South Africa's only Indian-origin provincial premier has been forced to step down by the ruling A.N.C., apparently falling prey to the bitter power-strugglebetween President Thabo Mbeki and party chief Jacob Zuma.
A close associate of Mbeki, Premier of the Western Cape province Ebrahim Rassool announced his decision to step down at a meeting attended by the chairperson of the AfricanNational Congress Baleka Mbete in Cape Town.
Appointed as the Premier in 2003 by President Thabo Mbeki, Rassool, whose grand-parents came to South Africa from Gujarat, said that he had served in his position honestly andeffectively and was sad to step down.
Rassool has also resigned from the Cape provinciallegislature.
Mbete, also Speaker of Parliament, told reporters that Rassool was asked to resign for "political reasons" and toprepare for the general elections next year.
Though Rassool gave no reasons for the move, it is believed he was axed because of his support for Mbeki during the ANC national conference in the town of Polokwane lastDecember when Mbeki lost the A.N.C. presidency to Zuma.
Zuma, 66, was the deputy president from 1999 till 2005 when he was forced to step down by Mbeki in the face of corruption charges. The popular Zulu leader, who is a favourite to run for Presidentship next year, also faced trialon rape charge but was acquitted in 2006.
Meanwhile, the Premier of the Eastern Cape province,Nosisiwe Balindela has also been asked to resign.
Like Rassool, Balindela was seen as a strong supporter of Mbeki and their sidelining hints at the powershift in theruling party.
A close associate of Mbeki, Premier of the Western Cape province Ebrahim Rassool announced his decision to step down at a meeting attended by the chairperson of the AfricanNational Congress Baleka Mbete in Cape Town.
Appointed as the Premier in 2003 by President Thabo Mbeki, Rassool, whose grand-parents came to South Africa from Gujarat, said that he had served in his position honestly andeffectively and was sad to step down.
Rassool has also resigned from the Cape provinciallegislature.
Mbete, also Speaker of Parliament, told reporters that Rassool was asked to resign for "political reasons" and toprepare for the general elections next year.
Though Rassool gave no reasons for the move, it is believed he was axed because of his support for Mbeki during the ANC national conference in the town of Polokwane lastDecember when Mbeki lost the A.N.C. presidency to Zuma.
Zuma, 66, was the deputy president from 1999 till 2005 when he was forced to step down by Mbeki in the face of corruption charges. The popular Zulu leader, who is a favourite to run for Presidentship next year, also faced trialon rape charge but was acquitted in 2006.
Meanwhile, the Premier of the Eastern Cape province,Nosisiwe Balindela has also been asked to resign.
Like Rassool, Balindela was seen as a strong supporter of Mbeki and their sidelining hints at the powershift in theruling party.
