WARNING OVER UNRULY ANC CONTEST !

African National Congress delegates have been warned to behave or face disciplinary action, as South Africa's ruling party meets to choose a leader. Supporters of President Thabo Mbeki and his popular former ally Jacob Zuma have been trying to out-sing each other amid chaotic scenes. Mr Mbeki was booed and heckled during his speech on Sunday.

Mr Zuma is the favourite to win. If he does, he would be in a strong position to become South African leader in 2009. Mr Mbeki is barred from serving a third term as national president and the ANC's choice is likely to determine who will be South Africa's next leader in 2009. Heckles Jeff Radebe, a member of the ANC's national executive committee, said it was wrong to boo other party officials.

LEADERSHIP RIVALS

Thabo Mbeki, 65
Succeeded Nelson Mandela as president in 1999
Presided over economic growth
Accused of not doing enough to reduce poverty
Won bid to host 2010 football World Cup
Seen as aloof
From Xhosa ethnic group

Jacob Zuma, 65
Played key role in fight against apartheid
Plagued by corruption allegations
Backed by trade unions, Communist Party
Seen as charismatic
From Zulu ethnic group

Mbeki: Born into struggle
Zuma: Comeback kid

He said "appropriate action" would be taken if such behaviour persisted. "When we came here, we thought there would be discipline, but intimidation is beginning to affect our people," said Deputy Defence Minister Mluleki George, who backs Mr Mbeki, reports the Reuters news agency.

Delegates at the five-day congress in Polokwane, Limpopo, will see the ANC's first leadership contest in 58 years. It had been expected the vote would be held on Sunday evening but, after 11 gruelling hours, the congress broke up to reconvene on Monday. The result may not be known until Tuesday.

Mr Zuma's supporters have been singing his anthem, the anti-apartheid song, Bring Me My Machine-gun, during the speeches of those seen as pro-Mbeki. But on Monday, hundreds of Mr Mbeki's supporters retorted by singing "Mbeki, my president". In his address lasting nearly three hours on Sunday, Mr Mbeki did not mention Mr Zuma by name but stressed the need for "ethical leadership".

Mr Zuma has been warding off allegations of corruption and last year was acquitted of rape charges - he says they were politically motivated. Mr Mbeki said claims by the Zuma camp that he had centralised power were false, which sparked boos and hissing from the floor. Correspondents say if Mr Mbeki were to remain ANC leader he would be well placed to decide who succeeds him as national leader in 2009. Over the weekend, former President Nelson Mandela said: "It saddens us to see and hear of the nature of the differences currently in the organisation."

South African viewpoints
In pictures

On Friday, the former Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, said neither Mr Zuma or Mr Mbeki were suitable candidates. Once close allies, Mr Zuma and Mr Mbeki publicly fell out in 2005 when Mr Zuma was sacked as deputy president over corruption allegations. The case against Mr Zuma was thrown out by a judge last year but he could still face charges in connection with a multi-million dollar arms deal.

Mr Zuma's supporters believe he would do more to reduce poverty in South Africa. He is backed by the Congress of South African Trade Unions, and the South African Communist Party, both allied to the ANC. But last week, Mr Zuma told the BBC that the ANC economic policy was set by a committee, not an individual, and he would not be changing direction.

BBC NEWS REPORT.