Mbeki's resignation to be effective from 25 September
Posted 23rd September 2008 at 12:01 AM by NewsTracker
By Vivian Warby
Parliament - President Thabo Mbeki's resignation may be effective from Thursday, 25 September 2008.
Mr Mbeki told the nation on Sunday, that he had formally resigned as President of South Africa.
Mr Mbeki's resignation letter was read by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Baleka Mbete in Parliament on Monday.
ANC Chief Whip Nathi Mthetwa moved a motion without notice that the House note that Mr Mbeki had submitted his resignation to Ms Mbete on Sunday.
He said according to the letter by the President, the resignation would be effective upon being informed that Parliament has finalised the matter, agrees that the resignation of the President of the Republic of South Africa will take effect on the 25th of September 2008.
Mr Mthetwa thanked President Mbeki for his dedication and service as both Deputy President and President of the country.
His motion without notice was, however, objected to by the Freedom Front and will now become a notice of motion to be dealt with in Parliament on Tuesday.
In his resignation letter, President Mbeki said the promises he made to the millions of South Africans had always informed all his actions as President.
He said when he took the oath as President of South Africa, he swore to promote all that would advance the country and oppose all that would harm it, protect the rights of all South Africans, do justice to all and devote all of himself to the well-being of the Republic and its people.
When historians look back at this time in history, from democracy in 1994, they would find a rich democratic revolution had taken place in South Africa, he said.
He further thanked all in his letter for allowing him to serve as President of the country and the House for its support and candour.
Ms Mbete is now expected to forward the letter to Chief Justice Pius Langa who will determine a date and time at which the National Assembly will elect a caretaker president.
Mr Mbeki was due to stand down after 10 years as President in office next year, but the ANC's decision making body, the ANC National Executive Committee, on Saturday recalled him as President of the country.
Earlier on Monday, ANC President Jacob Zuma said working together with Parliament, the party would ensure that the election of a new President took place as speedily as possible.
"There is no reason for South Africans to be apprehensive. The transition will be managed with care and precision. We will announce the name of our candidate in Parliament at an appropriate moment.
"We have in Cabinet many experienced ministers including the Deputy President of the ANC, Comrade Kgalema Motlanthe. I am convinced that if given that responsibility he would be equal to the task," Mr Zuma said.
As head of the ANC, Mr Zuma urged government ministers and their deputies to continue their work and serve the people of South Africa.
Speaking at the ANC headquarters, Mr Zuma said the decision to recall Mr Mbeki had been a difficult and painful one.
He said Mr Mbeki will continue to be given tasks as an ANC cadre and as one of the senior leaders of the movement.
Meanwhile, Mr Mbeki on Monday met with the leadership of the Security Services at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
The Security Services are composed of the South African Police Service, the South African National Defence Force and the South African National Intelligence Agency. The President also met the leadership of Correctional Services.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr Mbeki on Monday met the leaders to thank them for their outstanding work and support and urged them to continue providing a professional service to the country.
The leaders of the Security Services reaffirmed their commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law in the country. - BuaNews
Parliament - President Thabo Mbeki's resignation may be effective from Thursday, 25 September 2008.
Mr Mbeki told the nation on Sunday, that he had formally resigned as President of South Africa.
Mr Mbeki's resignation letter was read by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Baleka Mbete in Parliament on Monday.
ANC Chief Whip Nathi Mthetwa moved a motion without notice that the House note that Mr Mbeki had submitted his resignation to Ms Mbete on Sunday.
He said according to the letter by the President, the resignation would be effective upon being informed that Parliament has finalised the matter, agrees that the resignation of the President of the Republic of South Africa will take effect on the 25th of September 2008.
Mr Mthetwa thanked President Mbeki for his dedication and service as both Deputy President and President of the country.
His motion without notice was, however, objected to by the Freedom Front and will now become a notice of motion to be dealt with in Parliament on Tuesday.
In his resignation letter, President Mbeki said the promises he made to the millions of South Africans had always informed all his actions as President.
He said when he took the oath as President of South Africa, he swore to promote all that would advance the country and oppose all that would harm it, protect the rights of all South Africans, do justice to all and devote all of himself to the well-being of the Republic and its people.
When historians look back at this time in history, from democracy in 1994, they would find a rich democratic revolution had taken place in South Africa, he said.
He further thanked all in his letter for allowing him to serve as President of the country and the House for its support and candour.
Ms Mbete is now expected to forward the letter to Chief Justice Pius Langa who will determine a date and time at which the National Assembly will elect a caretaker president.
Mr Mbeki was due to stand down after 10 years as President in office next year, but the ANC's decision making body, the ANC National Executive Committee, on Saturday recalled him as President of the country.
Earlier on Monday, ANC President Jacob Zuma said working together with Parliament, the party would ensure that the election of a new President took place as speedily as possible.
"There is no reason for South Africans to be apprehensive. The transition will be managed with care and precision. We will announce the name of our candidate in Parliament at an appropriate moment.
"We have in Cabinet many experienced ministers including the Deputy President of the ANC, Comrade Kgalema Motlanthe. I am convinced that if given that responsibility he would be equal to the task," Mr Zuma said.
As head of the ANC, Mr Zuma urged government ministers and their deputies to continue their work and serve the people of South Africa.
Speaking at the ANC headquarters, Mr Zuma said the decision to recall Mr Mbeki had been a difficult and painful one.
He said Mr Mbeki will continue to be given tasks as an ANC cadre and as one of the senior leaders of the movement.
Meanwhile, Mr Mbeki on Monday met with the leadership of the Security Services at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
The Security Services are composed of the South African Police Service, the South African National Defence Force and the South African National Intelligence Agency. The President also met the leadership of Correctional Services.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr Mbeki on Monday met the leaders to thank them for their outstanding work and support and urged them to continue providing a professional service to the country.
The leaders of the Security Services reaffirmed their commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law in the country. - BuaNews
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