JOHANNESBURG - A prominent defector from South Africa's ruling ANC
said on Saturday the party would abuse power and could usher in a
new era of apartheid-style rule.

Former Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota was speaking to
several thousand delegates at a congress in Johannesburg that
hopes to shake the ANC's 14-year grip on government.

Lekota warned that the ANC appeared set on interfering in
state institutions and enriching its leaders as white minority
governments had done during apartheid.

"The threat the nation faces is that we will see the
reaffirmation of important elements of that terrible legacy
under our new masters," he said to loud cheers. "We are ready
and we will stand up and fight."

The rebellion by loyalists of former South African President
Thabo Mbeki, ousted by the ANC in September, has thrown the
traditionally united party into disarray and stoked fears of
rising instability in Africa's richest economy.

Lekota, seen as one of Mbeki's most faithful ministers,
resigned from cabinet five weeks ago in sympathy with his former
boss and has been organising the framework of a new political
party since then.

The congress could adopt a resolution clearing the way for a
new party when it concludes on Sunday.

The possibility that the pro-business Mbeki wing of the ANC
could bolt and join Lekota comes amid investor concerns over
growing trade union and communist influence in the party.

Many analysts say the ANC still commands deep loyalty, even
from Mbeki supporters, and that a break-up is unlikely despite
some discontent with Zuma's leadership in the business community
and black middle class.

Zuma beat Mbeki for the ANC leadership in 2007 and is the
frontrunner to win a presidential race next year. He has said he
will not tilt government to the left or discard pro-business
policies credited for nearly a decade of economic growth.

The ANC leader has dismissed Lekota, who resigned from the
party this week, and the other defectors as irrelevant.

"We wish the adventurists luck and are pleased that many are
coming out and are resigning from the ANC. We expect the
convention to unmask many others who will hopefully also leave
the ANC in peace," Zuma said on Friday.

The ANC is determined to prevent a trickle of defections
swelling in the months leading up to a general election, which
is expected around April 2009. ANC activists have clashed with
Lekota's supporters at public meetings in recent weeks.

Zuma's future is clouded by an ongoing corruption case, and
he has said he will step down if ever convicted in a trial.

A judge threw out bribery, fraud and other charges against
Zuma last month, alleging high-level political meddling in the
case. Prosecutors are appealing, and have suggested charges
could be reinstated before the end of the year.

Allegations that Mbeki used the graft case to try to derail
Zuma's political ambitions were at the heart of the ANC's
decision to push the former South African leader from office.