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Magashule faces more than 20 charges, including corruption related to the controversial multi-million dollar asbestos project.
ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule addresses supporters outside Bloemfontein Magistrates Court, where he appeared on November 13, 2020, on charges related to corruption. Photo: Abigail Javier / EWN
CAPE TOWN – With supporters of the African National Congress (ANC) secretary general Ace Magashule fighting to clear his name, a faction of the party in the Free State said they were disappointed in his behavior.
Magashule faces more than 20 charges, including corruption related to the controversial multi-million dollar asbestos project.
He spoke to his supporters after appearing before the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Friday in a defendant speech that is considered to have plunged the ANC into a crisis.
Magashule’s impending trial has exposed the cracks within the ANC weeks before the case begins.
Factions within the ruling party are already showing their muscles with members in the Free State who have spoken out under what they say is an “anti-corruption campaign”, releasing a scathing statement this weekend.
They said Magashule has shown the middle finger to the organization and the rest of the country by refusing to step aside while dealing with the corruption allegations against it.
Speaking to his supporters, moments after being released on bail of 200,000 rand on Friday, Magashule said he will only step aside at the request of the ANC branches that elected him to his post.
The comments drew attention, as they appear to be in stark contrast to a 2015 party resolution that states that members accused of corruption can be expected to resign pending the results of their investigations.
LOOK: I will only step aside if the ANC branches tell me, says Magashule.
The City Press reported Sunday morning that Magashule supporters are hatching their defense strategy after meeting in Bloemfontein on Monday.
The secretary general’s case is being viewed as a proxy war between him and President Cyril Ramaphosa as the two fight for control of Africa’s oldest liberation movement.
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