Portrait of Thabo Mbeki
Politician · person
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Thabo Mbeki on Jacob Zuma

Estranged former ally (strong) Position evolved Flip Head to head

TL;DR

Thabo Mbeki views Jacob Zuma as a political actor whose rise caused ANC setbacks and evasion of accountability.

Key Points

  • He sacked Zuma as Deputy President on 14 June 2005 following corruption implications during the trial of his former financial advisor.

  • Mbeki lost the ANC presidency to Zuma at the December 2007 Polokwane conference, leading to the ANC NEC recalling him as State President in September 2008.

  • He recently joined Zuma in court action to challenge the legitimacy of the Khampepe inquiry into delays in TRC prosecutions.

Summary

Thabo Mbeki's position on Jacob Zuma is marked by the profound political fallout stemming from their rivalry, which culminated in Mbeki's forced resignation as President in September 2008. The core conflict became apparent when Mbeki dismissed Zuma from the Deputy Presidency in June 2005 following corruption allegations tied to the Schabir Shaik trial. Mbeki subsequently lost the ANC presidency to Zuma at the December 2007 Polokwane conference, which directly led to the ruling party recalling Mbeki from the national presidency. He has since expressed frustration over what he perceived as a campaign against him, suggesting that Zuma's ascendancy was linked to forces that benefit from internal division and a "cult of personality."

More recently, the former president has continued to signal his disapproval, notably by joining Zuma in challenging the legitimacy of the Khampepe inquiry into delays in prosecuting apartheid-era crimes related to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Mbeki's alignment with Zuma in this specific legal action is framed as a joint effort to contest accountability for the past, which Mbeki views as an abuse of court process by Zuma's allies. His broader commentary suggests a belief that Zuma's political movement represents a regression from the ANC's core revolutionary principles, labeling the new party a vehicle for self-enrichment and the abandonment of collective governance.

Key Quotes

It was the activation of that national security management system which produced that result,” Mbeki said.

Frequently Asked Questions

Thabo Mbeki maintains a stance of strong political opposition to Jacob Zuma, viewing his political movement as fundamentally flawed. He suggests that Zuma’s political path represents a deviation from the ANC’s historical mission and an embrace of self-interest.

The significant political break occurred when Thabo Mbeki removed Jacob Zuma from the position of Deputy President on 14 June 2005 due to corruption allegations. This event intensified their rivalry, which had existed for years, ultimately leading to Mbeki’s recall from the presidency.

No, Thabo Mbeki did not support Jacob Zuma's bid for the ANC presidency, losing to him in the 2007 leadership election. Mbeki has since implied that elements within the ANC supported Zuma based on a 'cult of personality' rather than principle.