| ARCHBISHOP Desmond Tutu has warned that South Africa could become a “banana republic”, if it pursues the kind of revenge that has seen the country’s president, Thabo Mbeki, removed from office this week.
President Mbeki responded to demands from the ruling African National Congress (ANC) for his resignation. The ANC’s newly elected party leader, Jacob Zuma, is a long-standing rival of the former president, although in earlier days, they fought apartheid together. The ANC has advanced its deputy president, Kgalema Motlanthe, as president until elections take place next year.
Archbishop Tutu described President Mbeki’s ousting and public humiliation this week as “good old-fashioned tit-for-tat” with nothing principled about it. He said on Monday: “Those enemies have got their revenge, and are gloating as they rub his name in the mud.” The way of retribution led to a banana republic, he warned: “Our country deserves better. What we are doing is going to confirm the opinion of those who say, ‘Ah, well, that’s how it’s done in Africa.’”
Charges of fraud, corruption, and money-laundering against Mr Zuma were dropped earlier this month, when a judge implied that President Mbeki had interfered in the case. Archbishop Tutu is on record as criticising Mr Zuma, a former guerrilla leader, as not fit to hold the office of President of South Africa because of accusations against him, which have also included rape.
Bishops in Southern Africa, who are meeting at their synod this month, have voiced renewed concern at the extreme poverty suffered by many in the region, and at the wide gap between rich and poor. In a strong statement issued by the Primate, the Most Revd Thabo Makgoba, the Bishops say they remain deeply concerned at the prevalence of malaria and HIV/ Aids.
They acknowledge “the brokenness of the nations which we represent”, and pledge to continue modelling values that build integrity, love, forgiveness, peace, and reconciliation. “We acknowledge also that we have been too quiet recently on issues of social justice, and need to take a stronger prophetic stance towards our government.”
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