Mandela joins ANC figures in support for Ramaphosa

Accusations against Mr Cyril Ramaphosa and two other leading South African politicians have backfired on President Thabo Mbeki and his Security Minister, Mr Steve Tshwete. Mr Tshwete accused the three men on nationwide TV of plotting to overthrow the president but yesterday senior ANC figures, including former president Mr Nelson Mandela, rallied to their support.

Mr Ramaphosa, who with the former Finnish president, Mr Martti Ahtisaari, heads the decommissioning body in the Northern Ireland peace process, and his fellow "conspirators", Mr Tokyo Sexwale and Mr Matthews Phosa, were described by Mr Mandela as people he held "in the highest regard".

"Cyril Ramaphosa led our negotiating team. It is he who is really responsible for the settlement that led to a democratic South Africa," said Mr Mandela. Defence Minister Mr Leisioau "Terror" Lekota also supported the three men. One of the strongest criticisms came from Mr Zwelinzima Vavi, of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), who warned against using the police for political purposes.