THE ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) has ordered suspended Secretary-General Ace Magashule to publicly apologise to President Cyril Ramaphosa, for issuing a counter suspension notice against the party leader.

The NEC further said if Magashule fails to do so, the ANC will institute disciplinary procedures against him in accordance with the party’s Constitution, Ramaphosa said at the closing address of the ANC’s NEC meeting.

After his suspension last week, Magashule issued a suspension letter to the president without any mandate and authorisation of the NEC or the party’s national working committee (NWC).

Ramaphosa said the NEC discussed in detail the letter of suspension written by Magashule to the President, and it concluded that he had no authority or mandate from any structure of the movement to do so.

“The NEC agreed that such conduct was completely unacceptable and a flagrant violation of the rules, norms and values of the ANC. The NEC furthermore instructed the Officials to advise the Secretary General to apologise publicly to ANC structures and members within a set timeframe,” said Ramaphosa.

“If he fails to do so, the ANC will institute disciplinary procedures in accordance with the ANC Constitution.”

The party also reiterated its stance on the step aside resolution and said Magashule must adhere to the policy.

Ramaphosa said during the weekend’s meeting, the NEC received a report from the NWC on the implementation of the resolution that all ANC members indicted for corruption and other serious crimes should step aside or be temporarily suspended pending the finalisation of their case.

“The report indicated that, in line with the decisions of the NEC meeting of 26-29 March 2021, a number of ANC members had stepped aside and others had been served with notices of suspension.   These include our Secretary General Ace Magashule and NEC member Bongani Bongo,” said Ramaphosa.

The president during the step-aside period, these members will be entitled to remuneration and other benefits.  

He added that the decision to step aside must be reviewed by the relevant structure of the organisation every six months.

“This meeting has confirmed the terms and conditions for elected office bearers and public representatives who have stepped aside or temporarily suspended,” he said.

During the step-aside period a public representative may not occupy any executive office or other position of responsibility in the legislative to which they belong.

These include that during the step-aside period, such an individual may not carry out the duties and responsibilities of their office; represent the organisation publicly or in any other forum; make any public pronouncements on matters related to the organisation; or engage in the mobilisation of ANC structures.  

In the latest development, Ramaphosa said that the NEC agreed as per ANC constitution that Deputy Secretary-General Jessie Duarte will perform the functions of the Secretary General due to Magashule being suspended.

“The NEC confirmed that in the light of the temporary suspension of the Secretary General, deputy secretary general Jessie Duarte will, in accordance with the ANC Constitution, “carry out the functions entrusted to the SG by the National Conference, the National General Council, the NEC or the NWC,” he said.

“The NEC reaffirms its full confidence in the Deputy Secretary General, and supports her in carrying out her duties as per the ANC Constitution.”

 He said NEC members have condemned the unwarranted attacks on the Deputy Secretary General and ANC staff members at Luthuli House for carrying out decisions of the NEC, NWC and Officials.  

“These attacks have taken the form of threats, insults, unfounded allegations and misinformation,” said Ramaphosa.

NORTH WEST PROVINCE|

Ramaphosa said the NEC expressed concern regarding the ongoing instability in the North West and the impact that this is having on organisation, governance and service delivery.

“It reiterated the decision of the NEC meeting of 26-29 March 2021 that the Interim Provincial Committee must continue to discharge the mandate given to it by the NEC in accordance with the powers that it has in terms of the ANC Constitution,” he said.  

Meanwhile, former ANC provincial chairperson Supra Mahumapelo has appealed the decision to suspend him for five years.

MPUMALANGA PROVINCE|

Ramaphosa said the NEC noted and adopted the report of the National Dispute Resolution Committee led by the Deputy Secretary General into the violence at BBGMs that broke out in the Ehlanzeni region in Mpumalanga, Nkomazi sub-region wards 4 and 32.

It authorised the NEC deployees to the province to refer matters of serious misconduct to the National Disciplinary Committee, and to ensure cooperation with law enforcement agencies with respect to criminal matters.

The NEC agreed that, except for the Nkomazi sub-region, branches should resume BBGMs and BGMs in May 2021, so as to do away with parallel structures and branches.

FREE STATE PROVINCE|

Ramaphosa said in light of the Ramakatsa versus ANC judgement, the NEC has agreed that priority must be given to pursuing a political solution that will build a united and vibrant ANC in the Free State.

“We need to intensify the efforts being led by Cde Kgalema Motlanthe to achieve a political solution. To avoid a political vacuum in the province, we have therefore mandated the NWC to establish an inclusive interim structure to take the province to an elective conference,” said Ramaphosa.

• Inside Politics