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By Baldwin Ndaba 
2h ago
Johannesburg – As ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule will appear before his party’s Integrity Committee on Saturday following charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering in criminal court, the final decision on his future rests with the six first of the ANC.
Magashule gave this indication when addressing the media about the results of the last meeting of the ANC national executive committee for 2020 held from December 6-8.
While Magashule listed several resolutions made at that meeting, it was his imminent appearance before the ANC’s Integrity Committee on Saturday that took center stage and attracted media attention.
After his speech, several journalists asked him if he would resign if the Integrity Committee rules against him due to the seriousness of the criminal charges against him. He gave a fairly simple answer saying: “National officials will communicate to you the result of the Integrity Committee, including its decision.”
Magashule said that punitive actions against any member accused of corruption and fraud must be dealt with fairly and transparently.
At the press conference, Magashule also declined to reveal what he would present as his defense to the Integrity Committee in their attempt to avoid a negative ruling against him, but maintained that the Integrity Committee was made up of credible individuals.
Magashule appeared in Bloemfontein Magistrates Court charged with corruption, fraud and money laundering related to a R255 million Free State asbestos audit project tender on November 13.
He was released on bail of 200,000 rand.
The charges came after the Blackhead Consulting firm of Gauteng businessman Edward Sodi and its joint venture partner Diamond Hill, owned by the late businessman Ignatious Mpambani, were awarded the contract in 2014.
In the evidence presented to Zondo’s commission of inquiry, it was revealed that the contract was subcontracted twice and the final company that performed the asbestos audit did so for just over R20 million.
Magashule is due to return to court on February 19 along with nine of his co-defendants, including former Mangaung Metro mayor Olly Mlamleli.
On Thursday, Magashule said the party’s January 8 birthday celebration will now take place in Limpopo and will take place in accordance with Covid-19 regulations.
He said the party’s National General Council (NGC), due to be presented in May next year, is likely to play out albeit differently, and said they were considering setting up several hybrid venues across the country for the NGC.
Political Bureau
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