Durban: Former Premier of South Africa's Gauteng province Mbhazima Shillowa, who was forced to resign in the wake of sacking of ex-President Thabo Mbeki recently, is to join the breakaway party which has split from the ruling African National Congress.

Shillowa, who is seen as one of Mbeki supporters, will announce within the next 48 hours about his decision to join the breakaway party led by Mosioua Lekota, a former cabinet colleague of the beleaguered leader.

Lekota said in an interview today that he had been in talks with all the people who were "disillusioned and disgruntled" with the current leadership of the ANC led by fraud and corruption accused Jacob Zuma.

"We have to have a leadership that follows the constitution and not undermine the judiciary", said the former defence minister.

"I have tried to raise my voice inside the ANC but I have not succeeded. I have seen the situation deteriorate even faster than before. I have seen members of the ANC leave the organisation in their hundreds."

"I thought it would be irresponsible for me to see this happening. Therefore I decided to rally these people together and call on them not to abandon the Constitution and the principles enshrined in the ANC's Freedom Charter," he said adding, "It is for this reason that we are calling a national convention soon to take the process forward."