A Split in the African National Congress?

Last month, South African President Thabo Mbeki was forced to step down in the wake of a rift between Mbeki supporters and those backing the current leader of the African National Congress, Jacob Zuma. Now a split in the ANC seems more likely than ever:

"Mosiuoa Lekota, the former South African defence minister, has said that some members of the ruling African National Congress may leave the party to form a new opposition party.

'Today we are serving divorce papers,' he said in Johannesburg on Wednesday

He announced that a conference will be held in the coming weeks where a decision may be taken to split from the ANC.

...Lekota's announcement was welcomed by the country's small opposition parties as a step towards strengthening multiparty democracy in South Africa. However, it was met with derision by Zuma's allies in the unions and the ANC's youth wing.

...Lekota did not refer to Zuma by name but condemned tribalism and ANC leaders who 'stand on public platforms singing songs that advocate violence'.

Some of Zuma's supporters celebrate his Zulu origins, while his trademark song is the apartheid-era anthem 'Bring Me My Machine-Gun'."

South African voters will be heading to the polls in general elections in the first half of 2009.

One union has already rebuked Lekota's move, while the ANC said it would still engage Lekota and other members with grievances.