South Africa is facing its biggest political crisis since the end of apartheid after President Mbeki resigned as head of state last night, admitting defeat in the bitter power struggle within the ruling African National Congress.

Mr Mbeki capped a weekend of political drama with a live television address to the nation. He declared: “I would like to take this opportunity to inform the nation that today I handed a letter to the speaker of the national assembly, Baleka Mbete, to tender my resignation from the high position of President of the Republic of South Africa on a day that will be determined by the National Assembly.”

Politicians and commentators were immediately raising the prospect of a split in the ANC, a broad coalition of several factions that are deeply divided. Some believe that Mbeki supporters may break away and set up another party – a move that could loosen the party’s stranglehold on postapartheid politics and would be welcomed by many ordinary people.

The process of removing Mr Mbeki, who became the country’s second black President when he succeeded Nelson Mandela almost ten years ago, began with a statement this weekend by the ANC’s top decision-making body that it had lost confidence in him. That move followed a ruling by a High Court judge this month in effect accusing the President of abusing power in a long-standing feud with his arch- rival, Jacob Zuma.

In a dignified farewell address to the nation, Mr Mbeki, 66, “categorically” rejected claims that he had interfered in the prosecution of Mr Zuma on corruption and fraud charges related to a multimillion-pound arms deal. Ten days ago, Judge Chris Nicholson threw out the 16 charges against Mr Zuma, saying that state prosecutors had not followed the correct procedures. In a damning indictment, he said he believed that “baleful political influence” had been used, reminiscent of some of the worst excesses of the authorities during white minority rule.

Mr Zuma was sacked from the post of Deputy President in 2005 but had his revenge when he replaced Mr Mbeki as ANC leader at a raucous party conference last December. Since then Mr Mbeki has been a lame duck as President but was expected to serve out the rest of his second term, which would have ended in April.

The country will today have to appoint an acting president, but despite a parting appeal by Mr Mbeki for calm and stability South Africans face several weeks of political turmoil. Several Cabinet ministers have indicated they will also resign, including Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the Deputy President and a staunch Mbeki ally who would normally take over.

Next in line is Baleka Mbete, the Speaker of Parliament, a Zuma loyalist who would happily keep the seat warm. Trevor Manuel, the Finance Minister, has indicated that he will stay in government, an attempt to calm jittery investors.

Mr Zuma is not an MP and cannot yet become President. He will be the ANC’s candidate at the next election, which may now be brought forward. The party is certain of winning that vote, although possibly with a reduced majority.

“I do not believe Mbeki himself would leave the ANC, but younger pro-Mbeki supporters who face years in the political wilderness could well be tempted,” said Mark Gevisser, author of a best-selling biography of Mr Mbeki. Mbeki supporters are planning a demonstration outside Parliament tomorrow, which could be the first sign of a breakaway.

New man at the top

— Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, an ethnic Zulu, was born April 12, 1942

— Like Nelson Mandela, he was imprisoned on Robben Island for conspiring to overthrow white rule

— Was member of the ANC’s military wing, became head of intelligence then Deputy President for six years before he was sacked in 2005 over corruption allegations

— Acquitted of rape in 2006

— Charged with corruption, fraud, money laundering and racketeering on December 28, 2007, eight days after he won the ANC leadership

— On September 12 charges were thrown out by a judge, who referred to a “titanic political struggle” between Zuma and Mbeki and suggested the charges were politically motivated

Source: Reuters

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