Supporters of deposed South African President Thabo Mbeki may split from the ruling African National Congress and contest elections as a breakaway party in 2009, South Africa's Sunday Times said.
The move threatens to shatter the foundations of the country's post-apartheid political landscape, which has been dominated by the African National Congress, and tilt Africa's largest economy to the left.
Mbeki, who has followed a pro-business line since taking over from Nelson Mandela as president in 1999, agreed on Saturday to accept the ANC's request that he resign before the end of his term next year.
Ministers began arriving for an emergency cabinet meeting in Pretoria on Sunday. A government spokesman said he was not aware of any cabinet resignations, SAfm radio reported. Mbeki's downfall came about a week after a judge suggested there was high-level political meddling in the graft case of Mbeki rival and ANC leader Jacob Zuma, the frontrunner to win the next presidential election.
Although Mbeki's willingness to give up the reins without a fight suggests an orderly transition of power, a number of ministers have threatened to resign rather than serve in a Zuma-controlled government. Some are contemplating the unthinkable: leaving the ANC.
The Sunday Times said Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota, Deputy Defence Minister Mluleki George and other Mbeki loyalists are planning to start a new party and organisers will meet this week to discuss the move.
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