A breakaway faction of South Africa's ruling ANC is to contest elections next year, a move that could dramatically reshape the country's post-apartheid political landscape.
The rebellion by members loyal to former South African President Thabo Mbeki, ousted by the African Nantional Congress (ANC) in September, has thrown the traditionally united party into disarray and stoked fears of rising instability in Africa's richest economy. The new party will be launched in South Africa's Free State province on December 16.
Helen Long reports.
