Special Report

Former President Nelson Mandela yesterday threw his weight behind President Thabo Mbeki’s decision to fire his deputy, Jacob Zuma.

Mandela’s support for Mbeki marked a turnaround from his tacit support of Zuma last week.

In a move that seemed designed to show unity within the African National Congress (ANC), Mandela held a press conference two hours after Mbeki announced his decision in Parliament and an hour after Zuma gave his public reaction to his sacking.

Mandela said he supported Mbeki’s decision and was “deeply saddened” by the turn of events. “We fully support the president in these difficult times in the life of our organisation, nation and government,” Mandela said.

“We are confident that President Thabo Mbeki will as always lead with wisdom and compassion, guiding our nation through these testing times and holding our organisation (the ANC) together,” Mandela said.

The South African Council of Churches, which had also backed Zuma and asked him to stay on as head of SA’s moral-regeneration movement last week, also did an about-turn.

Council secretary-general Rev Molefe Tsele expressed “pride in the strength and resilience of SA’s constitution and democratic institutions”.

With acknowledgement to the Business Day.