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ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule received a 30-day suspension before he faces possible suspension if he refuses to depart from his post.
This as the national executive of the ANC issued an ultimatum that its leaders who are facing criminal charges, which would include Magashule, 30 days to resign or face suspension.
The Magashule faction was also apparently decimated, as the ANC’s national executive committee made the decision to silence lobbyists associated with this group, with the NEC banning so-called “radical economic transformation forces (RETs)” and uMkhonto weSizwe military veterans to organize and mobilize members of the ANC.
This was decided at the party’s four-day National Executive Committee (CNE) meeting. Ramaphosa delivered the closing address on Monday night.
Magashule faces corruption charges related to the asbestos case that was unveiled during his tenure as Free State prime minister. He is now out on bail of 200,000 rand.
Ramaphosa said the decision that those facing charges must withdraw within the next 30 days is non-negotiable.
“All members who have been charged with corruption or other serious crimes must withdraw within 30 days, otherwise they must be suspended in terms of Rule 25.70 of the ANC constitution,” Ramaphosa said. “The meeting emphasized that the 30-day period will be to allow implementation of the decision in accordance with the guidelines, not to review the decision.”
The provinces have been tasked with compiling lists of all those facing charges and submitting those lists to the secretary general’s office, which would now be headed by Assistant Secretary General Jessie Duarte.
“The NEC also agreed that provincial presidents and secretaries would meet with national officials during that time to further refine the guidelines and ensure that the resolution can be implemented effectively and practically.
“The secretary general’s office will work with the provinces to identify all affected people and inform them of the decision,” Ramaphosa said.
Magashule said at the NEC meeting that he would use this time to consult with previous ANC leaders before making a decision.
“The NEC welcomed the decision of the ANC Secretary General, Comrade Ace Magashule, to use this time to seek the advice of previous leaders of the movement,” Ramaphosa said.
Members of the ANC NEC have told the Sunday Times that they do not believe Magashule will step aside voluntarily and were therefore convinced that the party would have to suspend it.
Many members hoped that Magashule and others would only have seven days to withdraw as previously proposed, but the first six decided to give them 30 days instead.
“We have no alternative. It has been extended seven days … But it will eventually be pushed aside, ”said an NEC member, who did not want to be named.
Another NEC member said Magashule would use this time to “advise, understand the content of the case, bring the organization together, [and a] meeting of the SG and the president ”.
However, he said that this would probably be a waste of time, saying that he was sure that Magashule would not voluntarily step aside.
Ramaphosa said on Monday: “The NEC called on all ANC members to unite around this decision and not engage in any act of indiscipline, including through mobilizations or public statements that undermine the implementation of the conference resolution.”
The NEC further dominated Ramaphosa’s opponents by effectively collapsing the so-called RET group that is being run from ANC headquarters by Magashule staff member Carl Niehaus.
Ramaphosa said the meeting decided that “no member of the ANC should associate or participate in” these RET forces. Niehaus and other ANC members who sympathize with or are in command of the RET group have also been prohibited from using party resources to lead the faction.
“Furthermore, the NEC will not allow any ANC staff member to use ANC resources and facilities to hold meetings of the RET or any other faction. In terms of Rule 25.9 of the ANC constitution on ‘institution of disciplinary procedures’, the NEC directs the ANC presenter to investigate these matters and, if deemed necessary, immediately file charges for the attention of the national disciplinary committee ” Ramaphosa said. .
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