"Yes, he has resigned. The ANC accepts his resignation and we wish him well," said ANC spokesman Brian Sokutu.

Lekota is hosting a national convention in Johannesburg this weekend to discuss the formation of a new political party by mainly ANC members who say they are disillusioned with their current leadership.

Former Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa has thrown his weight behind the convention which is expected to emerge with a declaration that a new political party will be formed on December 16 to challenge elections next year.

Lekota was among a string of cabinet ministers who resigned after the national executive committee of the African National Congress decided to remove former president Thabo Mbeki from office in September.

Shilowa also resigned out of loyalty to Mbeki.

After resigning as defence minister, Lekota wrote an open letter to the ANC to say he was concerned that the new leaders elected at Polokwane in December were deviating from party principles.

Lekota said he was not happy with the response he received from the ANC on the letter and announced that a national convention would be held to discuss the possibility of a breakaway party.

The ANC suspended him and he was yet to appear before a disciplinary hearing when he resigned on Friday.

Sokutu said the ANC would release a more detailed statement on his resignation later on Friday.