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By Sihle Mavuso, Sifiso Mahlangu 
1 hour ago
Johannesburg – One of the two prominent ANC factions will show off their power on Friday at the ANC’s birthplace in Mangaung, in the Free State.
Putting more pressure on the already strained relationship between the top 6 members of the ANC, the “RET camp” will come out in full force to defend the secretary general under siege.
Ace Magashule is due to appear in Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Friday morning to face charges for failing to exercise supervision and not combating criminal activity in a 2014 asbestos tender worth 255 million rand while he was prime minister.
Magashule believes the allegations are politically motivated, primarily because he was on the list of contender Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.
Addressing the ANC’s elective conference in Nasrec in 2017, Cyril Ramaphosa had wanted Senzo Mchunu as his general secretary.
Two months after the Ramaphosa presidency, the North West Prime Minister and Magashule sponsor Supra Mahumapelo was forced to resign following the decision of the ANC’s national executive committee.
Members of the Magashule camp, including former President Jacob Zuma, have been brought to court in recent months, a move that Magashule supporters describe as “the use of state organs to wage political battles.”
On Wednesday, Magashule told The Star that he was committed to fighting to the end.
I told you before. This is politics. That’s it. Politics. How can I be accused of lack of supervision when I was not the accountant? Are they going to charge all the premieres? We will see.”
The Ramaphosa faction is believed to be headed by Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan and ANC President Gwede Mantashe.
Although the Hawks had originally denied the warrant for Magashule’s arrest, The Star learned that the warrant was signed on October 7 when news of the warrant broke.
Another of Magashule’s supporters, ANC MP Bongani Bongo, was also recently charged with corruption by a Mpumalanga court. Bongo is accused of receiving R300,000 from the Department of Human Settlements while Vice President David Mabuza was still prime minister of Mpumalanga.
On the day of Bongo’s appearance in court, Mabuza issued a statement distancing himself from the alleged crime.
Other suspects in the case include Edwin Sodi of Blackhead Consulting and Thabane Zulu, the former director general of human settlements who is out on bail.
When Magashule appears in court on Friday, a mini-rally is expected outside the court where some of his supporters and friends had gathered for a nightly vigil in show of support.
Some members of Parliament will also attend.
Seal Pietersen, the leader of the Free State ANC Youth League who also speaks on behalf of the Free State Prime Minister Sisi Ntombela, told The Star that he and other members of the Youth League would support Magashule in a personal capacity.
“Thousands of ANCYL members in the Free State province will attend the secretary general’s court appearance … We will also hold a nightly vigil … in our number … as individual ANCYL members,” he said. said.
ANC national spokesman Pule Mabe told SABC on Wednesday that he would go there in a personal capacity.
While Magashule’s attorney, defender Victor Nkhwashu, was mum about his game plan in court on Friday, the secretary-general is expected to receive bail.
Anticipating large numbers of people coming to support Magashule, Mangaung Metro spokesman Qondile Khedama said that two roads around the court would be closed.
“The streets will be closed from midnight until after court proceedings,” Khedama said on Thursday.
“This is in anticipation of the crowds that might be present.
“The public is asked to use alternative routes,” Khedama added.
Political Bureau
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