South African President Thabo Mbeki has asked for an investigation into rumors that he and others have conspired to ruin the political career of his former deputy president, Jacob Zuma.
In a letter posted Friday on an African National Congress website, Mr. Mbeki reacted angrily to accusations within the party that he and others were trying to block Mr. Zuma's path to the presidency of South Africa.
Mr. Mbeki fired the popular Mr. Zuma in June shortly before the deputy was charged with corruption. Those charges came after Mr. Zuma's financial advisor was convicted of corruption in deals linked to the deputy president.
Mr. Zuma has denied the charges against him.
In his letter, President Mbeki said no member of the ANC should be subjected to hidden political agendas.