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- ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule will appear before the party’s integrity committee next week.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa announced this during a televised closing address to the ANC’s NEC meeting on Tuesday.
- He said the NEC meeting was frank and direct.
ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule will appear before the party’s integrity commission, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Tuesday during his closing speech at a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
Ramaphosa said that Magashule would appear on December 12, then the first six of the ANC would process the results and the determination of the integrity commission and then report to the national working committee (NWC) and NEC.
The NEC held its last three-day meeting this week, where Magashule’s recent arrest became a big item on its agenda.
Magashule, who faces 21 counts of corruption, fraud and money laundering, has been facing calls from some within the party to step aside.
Ramaphosa described the meeting as frank and direct with NEC members seeking to persuade each other through the force of their arguments.
READ | No ‘punch ups’ at ANC NEC meeting, says Ramaphosa as Magashule addresses Integrity Committee
“The discussions have been supported by the desire to find a solution to the challenges we face. Once again, we have shown that many commentators and other public voices are wrong. We have not torn ourselves apart or fallen into bitter recriminations. We have not sharpened divisions In fact, through our discussions we have narrowed the differences that exist, “he said.
Addressing the closure, Ramaphosa said the meeting had an extensive discussion on the implementation of the Nasrec conference resolutions and the NEC’s decisions on corruption and other forms of wrongdoing.
“We have reaffirmed several important principles. We confirm the firm position we have taken on corruption and wrongdoing within our ranks and within society. There will be no dilution of the position we have taken.
“We will fully implement the mandate of the 54th national conference and the decisions made by the NEC, understanding that they are fundamental for the renewal of the organization and for the restoration of the credibility of the movement among South Africans.”
READ | Take Action Against Magashule Now: ANC Heavyweights Make The Law In Preparation For Final NEC Showdown
He added that the NEC would be consistent and impartial in the implementation of these decisions and would ensure that a fair and due process was followed.
Ramaphosa said the party reaffirmed its decision on the resolution to sideline those found or implicated in irregularities, adding that it will not withdraw from this position.
We will be consistent and equitable in the implementation of these decisions and we will ensure that fair and due processes are followed.
To give effect to these decisions, officials will finalize the guidelines that will be applied in cases where ANC members are formally accused, convicted or reported for being involved in corruption or other serious crimes.
News24 previously reported that five legal opinions on the sideline issue had produced contrasting advice from high-level advocates.
The views of defenders Dali Mpofu, Thembeka Ngcukaitobi and Mathews Phosa agreed that the resolution was unconstitutional and illegal.
An unsigned and undated opinion specifically directed at Magashule, who is out on R200,000 bail after being indicted on 21 counts of fraud and corruption, said the party’s NWC could order him to step aside, as that he had refused to do so voluntarily. News24 reported.
Ramaphosa, however, said that while the NEC took note of the legal opinions requested by the top six, the ANC was bound to follow its constitution, rules, conference resolutions, and NEC decisions.
The NEC would also have commitments to the leagues and provincial secretaries regarding the withdrawal resolution, he said.
READ MORE | Ramaphosa urges NEC to respect its own decisions when stepping aside
“We are confident that we will be able to solve this problem and still be able to implement our conference resolution.”
Ramaphosa sealed his authority against party members who, he said, knowingly or unknowingly contributed to a public discourse that damaged the unity and cohesion of the NEC and the movement.
“As we have said before, we must desist from public statements that are in disagreement with the decisions of the ANC structures and that are likely to fuel the division.”
Mangaung
He condemned the burning of ANC insignia and the incendiary statements made by some ANC leaders during the first appearance before the Magashule court in Mangaung in November.
“It is improper for us as members to denigrate and desecrate the insignia, including sometimes the flag of our organization, in the way that some members are now seen to do. It is not acceptable and must be stopped. Whatever the way. of unhappiness that any of us have, we say not to attack this glorious movement. ”
The “no camaraderie” actions Ramaphosa was referring to were televised as NEC members, including Magashule and Tony Yengeni, fired warning shots at Ramaphosa.
Yengeni, a known ally of the secretary general, took the stage and addressed the thousands of attendees, saying that, unlike some, Magashule did not buy branches in Nasrec.
“We don’t have billions. We have the power of organization, the power of unity. Not billions. Those who use the money to buy branches and delegates to assume the highest office. That is criminal, it is corruption of the first order. and it shouldn’t be allowed, “he said.
