Feuding supporters of ANC rivals Jacob Zuma and President Thabo Mbeki chanted slogans at each other on Monday, highlighting deep divisions as the ruling party chooses its next leader. In chaotic and unprecedented scenes Zuma supporters sang his trademark, anti-apartheid song "Bring me my machine gun" while Mbeki's side responded by chanting his name.
Zuma, a populist with support from powerful trade unions and rank-and-file members of the ANC, is widely tipped to seize the party leadership from Mbeki, who is bidding for a third term.
Because of the ANC's political dominance, this would put Zuma on track to become president when Mbeki stands down in 2009. As heavy rain lashed this northern town, confusion and procedural wrangling badly delayed the work of the five-day conference. The 4,000 delegates were originally slated to vote for a new leader on Sunday before going into policy discussions. But officials said the poll could now be delayed until Tuesday.
"When we came here, we thought there would be discipline, but intimidation is beginning to affect our people," said Deputy Defence Minister Mluleki George, an Mbeki backer.
Zuma's expected victory is worrying markets because of his strong backing from left-leaning trade unions and the Communist Party. The rand sunk to a three-week low on Monday. "It looks like Zuma is going to get the nomination and that is a real worry for South Africa in the future," said Carlin Doyle, emerging markets strategist at State Street Global Advisors in London.
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