‘No rift’ between leaders
ANC secretary-general says party will deal with the Ramaphosa plot allegations
ANC SECRETARY-GENERAL Ace Magashule was yesterday at pains to explain that an allegation of his involvement in the alleged plan to oust President Cyril Ramaphosa had not ruined the working relationship between the two.
Magashule was outlining the outcomes of the ANC’s national executive committee meeting, which was held over the weekend, which also discussed the allegations for the first time.
Leaders at the centre of the alleged plot also included ousted North West chairperson Supra Mahumapelo and former president Jacob Zuma, among others.
ANC national officials have now been directed to further discuss and probe the allegations of the plot.
While Magashule did not divulge what approach would be taken by the officials to test the veracity of the claims, he maintained that there was still no proof of the allegations against him and the other leaders.
“We will deal with the rumours and we will deal with the allegations because something which has not been proven is an allegation,” Magashule said.
The allegations have appeared to further weaken the fragile relations between Ramaphosa and Magashule, as they took apparent broad swipes at each other after they surfaced.
Addressing the national congress of Cosatu late last month, Ramaphosa slammed those who were implicated in the plot against him and called on them to reveal their true agenda, without mentioning names.
In what appeared to be a veiled response to Ramaphosa, Magashule told members of the South African Students’ Congress in the Free State that no ANC leadership would stop him from meeting Zuma.
“I am not a product of white people.
“I am not a product of capital. There are people who are products of the white man in the ANC,” he said.
Ramaphosa’s business interests over the years have seen him amassing a fortune which has turned him into a billionaire.
Yesterday Magashule was, however, at pains to explain that he and Ramaphosa were working well together.
“Me and comrade Ramaphosa we won’t allow wedge drivers to come in between us.
“We will stay focused and we are going to work together and we will continue working together in the interest of the people of South Africa and membership of the ANC,” he said.
Magashule, who has been implicated in state capture allegations in relation to his tenure as Free State premier, said the NEC called on members of the public who were implicated or had information to approach the commission.
The party has also set up a task team aimed at assisting the ANC Youth League to prepare for its national conference, which is scheduled for later this month.
The team includes Magashule, ANC head of presidency Zizi Kodwa, head of elections Fikile Mbalula and national working committee member Ronald Lamola, among others.
Magashule also confirmed that Mahumapelo had resolved to pull out of the provincial task team that was set up after his executive was disbanded.