Magashule calls for calm
ANC secretary-general asks supporters not to march or print T-shirts in his name
ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule has urged his supporters not to mobilise crowds under his name as his court appearance looms.
Magashule’s call came via a press statement read out by ANC Deputy Secretary-General, Jessie Duarte, yesterday from Luthuli House.
The statement came after the ruling party’s top six called an impromptu meeting late on Tuesday after the Hawks in the Free State confirmed that Magashule had been served with an arrest warrant.
He is charged under section 34 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act. These charges relate to his alleged failure to exercise oversight while he was premier of the Free State between 2009 and 2017, and a R255 million asbestos project scandal. Duarte said: “The S-G expressed his preference to officials that he would not want any individual or groups to march, print posters, T-shirts and placards on this matter and in his name. The national officials expressed the wish that all structures respect this in the spirit of one ANC, and to respect the rule of law.”
Duarte said they were aware of the “huge tensions” that erupted yesterday morning when the news of the arrest gained momentum.
This was in an apparent reference to the fact that the two factions of the ANC in the Free State, with one pro-Cyril Ramaphosa and the one consisting mainly of provincial executive committee members, started to square off in Bloemfontein where some of the accused in the asbestos project case appeared and had their case postponed to February next year.
Bheki Mngomezulu, a professor a UWC’s political school, said Magashule’s announcement was a political statement meant to be diplomatic and show unity.
“I think it’s a strategic move. He will say I didn’t incite anyone when people do things, they are doing them on their own,” Mngomezulu said.
Meanwhile, ANC Treasurer-General Paul Mashatile, who addressed the ANC press conference with Duarte, said the issue of Magashule stepping aside as per the ruling party national executive committee resolution of August had not been discussed.
“The S-G (secretary-general) briefed us about the letters he has received from law enforcement agencies and the fact that he will co-operate, and he will go to court on Friday.
“You will recall that the issue of stepping down is a matter that the NEC (national executive committee of the ANC) is still seized with, and I am sure in the next NEC meeting the matter will be further discussed. So we didn’t venture into discussing that,” Mashatile said.