The Deputy President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, has accused members of his governing ANC party of seeking power not to serve the people but to line their own pockets.

At a gathering of thousands of supporters in his home village Ngcingwana in the Eastern Cape province, Mr Mbeki said some party members were not genuine ANC supporters but gangsters.

Mr Mbeki -- who will lead the ANC into next year's presidential election -- said democracy did not mean the freedom to rape or steal other people's property.