Kgalema Motlanthe fills in President Thabo Mbeki

C Simkins SA

South Africa's ruling party has chosen deputy leader Kgalema Motlanthe to serve as the country's president until next year's election.  Parliament, dominated by the ruling African National Congress, is expected to approve Motlanthe as president on Thursday. He is replacing President Thabo Mbeki, who resigned under party pressure Sunday, because of his alleged interference in a corruption case against ANC head Jacob Zuma.

Parliament Tuesday, voted to accept Mr. Mbeki's resignation.

Meanwhile, the ANC also announced the resignations of several ministers, including Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcula and Finance Minister Trevor Manuel.  

President Mbeki and ANC chief Zuma have been bitter rivals since the president fired Zuma as his deputy in a 2005 corruption scandal.

Zuma toppled Mr. Mbeki from the ruling party's leadership last year and is widely expected to win presidential elections scheduled for April.

Mr. Mbeki has been South Africa's president since 1999, when he took over from Nelson Mandela.