Mbeki Denies Plans to Quit As South Africa's President

JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 21 -- President Thabo Mbeki told the nation Friday that he has no plans to step down or implement any new policies following his ruling party's decision at a rowdy conference to replace him as leader with his populist rival, Jacob Zuma.

Mbeki's comments echoed predictions by Zuma, who rose to power with the support of people who feel that Mbeki has neglected South Africa's millions of poor.

The power split created by the party delegates' vote -- Mbeki remaining as national president, with 16 months left in his term, and Zuma leading the ruling African National Congress -- has caused unease in a nation accustomed to political stability and predictable economic policies.

But both men now have said such concerns are unfounded. "Quite correctly, he said nothing would happen, and indeed, nothing will happen," Mbeki said, referring to Zuma, in a nationally televised news conference from the lawn of his official residence in Pretoria.

Mbeki also disputed news reports that he would resign or be forced from power by Zuma in the weeks ahead. "I would expect the government would serve its term until the elections in 2009," he said.

Mbeki appeared relaxed but weary following the five-day conference in which thousands of delegates expressed their rejection of him in boisterous song and dance, along with whistles, drums and plastic trumpets.

He called such displays "quite unacceptable to all of us in the leadership of the ANC" and lamented what he called shortcomings in the "political education" of party members, many of whom, he said, had not even read the party's constitution or taken the time to understand its code of conduct.

Wearing a crisp, sky-blue polo shirt, Mbeki also expressed puzzlement at the intensity of his rejection by the ANC, a party for which he has worked his entire adult life. Many delegates at the conference, which concluded Thursday night in the northern city of Polokwane, complained that Mbeki was aloof, out of touch and prone to making decisions without consulting even political allies.

Asked about such frustrations, Mbeki replied, "I wouldn't understand what aloof means."

The battle between Zuma and Mbeki, which dates to Mbeki's firing of Zuma as deputy president of the nation over corruption allegations in 2005, has consumed South African politics. Their contest at the conference was the first open struggle for the party's presidency in half a century.

The balance of power is still far from clear, moreover, because although Zuma's election has made Mbeki a lame duck, national prosecutors said Thursday they would shortly decide whether to file new charges of corruption against Zuma. A conviction would prevent Zuma from becoming president of South Africa after Mbeki steps down.

At a news conference Thursday, Zuma repeatedly declined to say whether he would step down if forced to fight charges in court, saying: "There's no charge. There's no case."