Mbeki taking toys and leaving ANC?

Thabo Mbeki’s letter to Jacob Zuma, described by Zuma as some sort of pledge of loyalty, may be a lot less flattering.

The letter says that Mbeki basically followed the Lekota line by:

* Stating strong criticisms of the ruling party’s new leadership;

* Lashing out at the “cult of personality” around Zuma;

* Asking that his name not be used in the ANC’s 2009 election campaign;

* Criticised the cult of violence within the ANC;

* Criticised the willingness of some ANC members to “kill” for Zuma;

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said on Tuesday that Mbeki had, in the letter, distanced himself from former defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota’s plans to form a breakaway party.

But others said Mbeki said more than that — and that the ANC’s version was spin, aimed at scoring political points ahead of this weekend’s national convention of the dissidents at which Lekota and other ANC rebels will reveal details of their new political party.

While Mbeki did make the point that he was not behind Lekota’s breakaway group, his letter was also extremely critical of the ruling party’s new leadership.

The former president lashed out at the ‘‘cult of personality’’ that he said had developed around Zuma, saying this was unprecedented in the history of the ANC.

In his letter, Mbeki also called on the ANC not to use his name in its 2009 election campaign. He said he had heard via the media that he would be expected to campaign for the ruling party, and that no one in the leadership had consulted him.

Mbeki also noted the ANC’s new leadership now apparently expected a leader whom they had regarded as a negative influence to campaign on their behalf.

It is understood that Mbeki was also critical of the cult of violence emerging within the ANC — an apparent reference to the disruption by ANC members of meetings by Lekota and former Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa.

See also;
What Mbeki really told Zuma in letter
Is the ANC lying? (Duh. Is a frog's arse water tight?)
31/10/2008 - Mbeki to start own group
Full text of Mbeki's letter