ANC to give response to Magashule
The ANC is on Monday expected to communicate its way forward on the court action by suspended secretary-general Ace Magashule to have his suspension declared unlawful, unconstitutional and invalid.
Magashule, who is facing a raft of charges, including corruption, fraud and racketeering related to a R250m asbestos eradication tender that was awarded in the Free State during his time as premier, also wants the court to declare unconstitutional the ANC’s entire step-aside rule, which formed the basis of his suspension.
The rule, adopted by the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) and implemented by its national working committee (NWC), declares that those facing corruption or criminal charges have to voluntarily step aside from their position. Such members may be suspended should they fail to step down voluntarily.
The NWC recently served
Magashule with a suspension letter for failing to step aside voluntarily. Magashule then unilaterally issued a public letter announcing his suspension of ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa in retaliation for his own suspension.
The ANC announced last Monday that its highest decision-making body between national conferences, the NEC, had decided Magashule should apologise publicly for his role in the matter and that disciplinary proceedings be instituted against him should he refuse to do so. Magashule is yet to do so.
ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe said the party had noted court papers filed by Magashule and the party will communicate its way forward on Monday after “the regular meeting of national officials”.
The corruption trial against former president Jacob Zuma and French arms company Thales is due to kick off in the high court in Pietermartizburg on Monday.
Zuma will appear in court with new attorney Mondli Thusini, after his attorney of record withdrew without giving reasons in April. Billy Downer SC heads the state’s legal team. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has lined up 217 witnesses. “We have a good case,” spokesperson Sipho Ngwema said.
Pre-trial hearings on administrative issues took place in February. At the time Zuma’s foundation said the “postponements” constituted an “abuse of process” and doubted the state’s readiness to go to trial. The NPA slated the statement as “exceedingly disingenuous” and insisted the prosecuting authority was ready to proceed with a solid case.
Parliament will be a hive of activity, with committee meetings and various departments set to hold their budget vote debates at the National Assembly this week.
The departments of tourism; trade, industry & competition; mineral resources & energy; defence & military veterans; and human settlements, among others, are set to hold their budget vote debates in the House on Tuesday.
On Thursday it will be the turn of the department of international relations & cooperation, and the department of correctional services.
The Electoral Commission of SA (IEC), which is set to hold local government elections in October, will brief parliament’s portfolio committee on home affairs on Tuesday, on its annual report and financial statements for the financial year 2019/2020.
In November IEC chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo said the commission will need R70m it had not budgeted for to organise registration for municipal elections in adherence with Covid-19 safety protocols. He said the IEC will have to redirect funds from other areas to afford the R70m needed to procure personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect its staff at 23,000 registration stations across the country.
Struggling state-owned power utility Eskom and petrochemicals company Sasol will on Tuesday brief the portfolio committee on environment, forestry & fisheries on their noncompliance with environmental laws.
The SA Police Service (SAPS) will brief the select committee on security and justice at the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Wednesday on the budget and annual performance plan for the financial year 2021/2022.
On the same day the department of transport will brief the select committee on transport, public service & administration, and public works & infrastructure on its annual performance plan and strategic plan.
Transport minister Fikile Mbalula told the NCOP earlier this month that a final decision on Gauteng’s e-tolls is on the table and still awaiting approval by the cabinet.
On Friday, finance minister Tito Mboweni will brief the joint standing committee on financial management on progress made in addressing concerns about the allocation of parliament’s budget.