SOUTH AFRICA- The proposed merger by the opposition parties in South Africa which was aimed at wrestling power away from the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa, has collapsed.

Last Week, the Democratic Alliance (DA) declared it would merge with the Agang party of anti-apartheid activist Mamphela Ramphele, who was put forward as a potential Presidential candidate should the merger worked.

The merged party had been billed as the strongest challenger to the ANC since it came to power in 1994.

Ms Ramphele was the partner of one of the veterans of the struggle against white minority rule, Steve Biko, who died in police custody in 1977.

DA supporters had hoped Ms Ramphele would have helped the party tap into voter dissatisfaction with President Jacob Zuma and the ANC (African National Congress), under fire over corruption scandals and stubbornly high poverty levels.

The impact of the past week's events on South African democracy - now 20 years old - is harder to judge.

The ANC remains by far the most popular party, but many here believe a strong, united opposition is necessary to curb its excesses. The collapse of this merger deal is only the latest in a string of blows to that prospect.

It was reported that the merger fell apart at a meeting on Sunday, over whether it was simply a partnership or a complete assimilation of the much-smaller Agang party.

"Dr Ramphele reneged on the agreement that she stand as the DA's presidential candidate, and that Agang SA's branches, members and volunteers be incorporated into the DA," said DA leader Helen Zille, in a statement.

She angrily accused Ms Ramphele of saying one thing to the media, another to her Agang supporters and yet another to the DA.

"Dr Ramphele has demonstrated - once and for all - that she cannot be trusted to see any project through to its conclusion," she said.

But in her respond, Ms Ramphele said: "There was no confusion. I remain committed and still am the leader of Agang SA. The focus was to work together in the election."