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Coalition's leftist allies want Mbeki out
South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki has failed to provide leadership and should be recalled from the presidency to make way for early elections, the South African Communist Party (SACP) said yesterday.
- Reuters
- Published: 23:35 June 1, 2008
- Image Credit: Reuters
- South African ruling party leader Jacob Zuma (left) plays with Amadinho, the 4-month-old son of Olga Khoza, as Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (centre) watches at the Cleveland police station outside Johannesburg last week.
Johannesburg: South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki has failed to provide leadership and should be recalled from the presidency to make way for early elections, the South African Communist Party (SACP) said yesterday.
The SACP, in coalition government with the African National Congress (ANC) since the end of apartheid, blamed Mbeki for a wave of violence against foreigners in which 62 people have been killed since May 11.
"While there is not yet support from our allies in this regard, the SACP continues to believe that the president of the country should be recalled," the communists said in a statement, condemning the attacks on immigrants. "Quite how this should be done without creating more instability is a matter to be considered soberly - perhaps the calling of an early election could be considered."
Mbeki, who has seen his power and prestige shrink since losing the ANC leadership to Jacob Zuma in 2007, was under fire for failing to prevent a persistent power shortage when the mobs went on the rampage last month.
Leftist voices in the alliance say his economic policies have favoured business at the expense of the poor.
Asked how an early election or the recall would work, SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande said: "We can't go into detail about it. All these issues should be up for discussion."
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