Former S Africa defence minister says ANC close to split

Johannesburg: South Africa's ruling African National Congress is close to a split, former defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota said on Wednesday, but stopped short of calling for a breakaway party.

Local radio earlier reported that Lekota and other loyalists of ousted president Thabo Mbeki would form a new party.

However, Lekota just heavily criticised the party's conduct, adding that he would reserve judgement until the party could hold a special congress.

"This is probably the parting of the ways, it probably is. We hope that sense may still prevail in us... If not there's no going back."