Timeline to defeat: a story of personal rivalry

*June 1999

Thabo Mbeki becomes President of South Africa following a general election after succeeding Nelson Mandela as African National Congress (ANC) leader .

*April 2004

Mbeki wins second term as President.

*June 2005

Mbeki sacks the Deputy President, Jacob Zuma, over a corrupt $4.8bn arms deal.

*October 2005

Zuma is accused of raping the HIV-positive daughter of a family friend. He is charged and acquitted. But as head of the country's Aids council, he is criticised after saying he showered instead of using a condom to protect himself from HIV.

*May 2006

ANC reinstates Zuma to his party duties.

*December 2007

Mbeki is defeated by Zuma as ANC leader, a job that usually brings with it the presidency. It is the clearest signal yet that Mbeki is losing the backing of his party, making Zuma favourite for the 2009 elections.

*May 2008

Mbeki speaks out against anti-Zimbabwean riots, winning him support abroad but alienating some South Africans.

*12 September 2008

After months of talks on a Zimbabwe settlement, Mbeki strikes a power-sharing deal between President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Mbeki had been severely criticised for not standing up to Mugabe, but this success comes too late to save his reputation.

*15 September 2008

Judge Chris Nicholson throws out a fraud and corruption case against Zuma, backing his claim that Mbeki was behind it, the final straw for Mbeki's opponents.

*20 September 2008

ANC leaders decide to "recall" Mbeki, seven months before his two-term presidency was due to end. Mbeki has little option but to step down.