SUSPENDED ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule has hit back by suspending Cyril Ramaphosa, sparking a full-blown rebellion among certain branches against the governing party’s President.
Last night, shortly after his temporary suspension was confirmed, indignant branches instructed Magashule to suspend Ramaphosa as ANC President, saying he himself is facing charges of money laundering, buying votes at the ANC’s 2017 elective conference at Nasrec, tender irregularities, perjury and bringing the party into disrepute.
Magashule, a master of diversionary tactics, added to the backlash by issuing a statement suspending Ramaphosa, saying this was done in terms of Resolution 8.2 of the 54th National Conference.
The resolution states that, “every cadre accused of, or reported to be involved in, corrupt practices accounts to the Integrity Committee immediately, or faces DC processes….,and Resolution 8.3 that further provides for the suspension of … people who fail to give an acceptable explanation, or to voluntarily step down while they face disciplinary, investigative or prosecutorial procedures”.
Magashule’s scathing letter comes after his suspension on Wednesday when he failed to step aside voluntarily from his position as ANC Secretary-General following a national working committee (NWC) meeting on Monday.
As part of his suspension, Magashule has been barred from addressing public rallies or handling party-related matters while serving his suspension and facing criminal charges in a court of law.
But last night a defiant Magashule lashed out at ANC deputy secretary Jessie Duarte, saying she had no authority to issue him with a suspension letter.
“It is evident that the deputy secretary general does not have the authority to issue such letters. Thus the letter is fatally flawed, and in fact unconstitutional,” said Magashule.
“Furthermore these letters are based on a selective and factional interpretation of the relevant resolution. I herewith announce that I am immediately, and formally, appealing this unconstitutional suspension. In terms of the ANC Constitution, my suspension is thus wholly suspended, until my appeal has been heard, and it’s final outcome announced.”
He added: “For the sake of fairness and justice to all the affected comrades, who have received similarly unconstitutional letters, I as Secretary General – who is duty bound to uphold the ANC Constitution and all administrative processes – urge them to also follow the appropriate internal appeal processes.”
Magashule and his supporters have repeatedly challenged Ramaphosa at every opportune moment, accusing him of failing to implement the 2017 Nasrec conference resolutions.
Magashule’s supporters are planning to oust Ramaphosa at the party’s national general council (NGC).
Political analysts believe that the next few days will see an open rebellion by branches against Ramaphosa.
However, ANC Veterans League president Dr Snuki Zikalala told Inside Politics that the ANC members believes in the rule of law and supported the implementation of conference resolutions to deal with malfeasance and corruption within the party.
“We don’t expect any backlash from the Secretary-General – or branches for that matter. There will be no basis for that and we trust the Secretary-General and our members,” said Zikalala.
“All the national officials and members of the national executive committee (NEC) were elected by the branches at a conference where it was a decision was taken to implement conference resolutions and cleanse the ANC of corruption.”
Zikalala added: “The Secretary-General said he was a committed member of the ANC. He said he will die in the ANC. We believe in what he is saying. Stepping aside is not an admission of guilt on his part. The step aside resolution is also not about him. It’s about every member of the ANC facing criminal charges.”
Zikalala said corruption in South Africa robbed the poor of quality service delivery and a quality of life.
“Corruption must be dealt with. It robs our people of education, healthcare and employment. The ANC cannot be led by people involved in corruption. When you join as a member you took an oath to act ethically and abide by the regulations of the ANC,” said Zikalala.
He said Magashule was facing serious charges and has to account for his role in the asbestos tender corruption in the Free State when he was Premier.
Analysts say Magashule’s exit could add impetus to Ramaphosa’s efforts to tackle the corruption that became endemic during former president Jacob Zuma’s rule and bolster the odds of him securing a second term as ANC leader next year.
- Inside Politics
