Action against Magashule lauded
Secretary-general ordered to step aside, and is barred from addressing rallies while serving his suspension
THE ANC’s latest action to suspend its secretary-general, Ace Magashule, and others implicated in fraud and corruption, is a positive process of assessing its past mistakes of not acting against corruption on time.
This is according to Kealeboga Maphunye – professor of African Studies at Unisa – who was reacting to the decision by the ANC’s national work ing committee (NWCs) on Monday to act swiftly against those facing criminal charges in various courts in the country.
Maphunye said: “The (ANC) NWC’s reaffirmation of the national executive committee’s (NEC’s) decision is aligned with what ANC president (Cyril) Ramaphosa suggested at the Zondo Commission last week when he said that the party was in the process of assessing its past mistakes, which would entail processes of self-introspection to rebuild the ANC.
“Hopefully, this would address the party’s past mistakes of allowing unethical governance practices, and failure to act against wrong decisions and actions as South Africa’s governing party.”
Expressing a similar opinion that the ANC was on the right track, political analyst professor Dirk Kotze had earlier welcomed the party’s decision to consider the setting up of an appeals panel for all its members who wanted to challenge decisions of the Integrity Committee.
Kotze maintained that the move was aimed at beefing up the powers of the Integrity Committee, saying it would probably result in compliance with its decisions. In an unprecedented move, the ruling party yesterday barred Magashule from addressing public rallies while serving his suspension.
These strict restrictions were contained in a letter of suspension which was served on him and went viral on social media platforms yesterday. The NWC endorsed the decision of the party’s NEC which ordered all its members including Magashule who are facing criminal charges to step aside or face suspension.
The NEC took the decision on March 29 and Magashule and others had until April 29 to comply but they defied their party.
The matter was then referred to the NWC which solidified the NEC decision and ordered that letters be written to all the implicated parties. While Magashule was served with his letter yesterday, its conditions were backdated to May 3.
In her letter to Magashule, deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte stipulated all the conditions which Magashule was supposed to adhere to or face penalties.
Detailing reasons for his suspension letter, Duarte said: “You have been indicted to appear in a court of law on charges of corruption and fraud, alternatively theft and money laundering.
“On May 3, 2021, the NWC, acting in terms of Rule 25.70 read with Rule 13.8, instructed that letters be written to all the affected members, including yourself, to inform you that it has decided that their temporary suspension would be in the best interest of the organisation.
“Accordingly, on the authority of the NWC, you are hereby temporarily suspended with effect from 3 May 2021, until the final outcome of your court proceedings.”
Another clause in the letter informed Magashule that he “may not engage in the mobilisation of ANC structures, any other organisation or individuals, including on your stepping aside and related matters”. Duarte will now take over as acting secretary-general while Magashule and others are expected to report to treasurer-general Paul Mashatile about progress in the criminal case before a decision is taken to review their individual suspensions.
Commenting on the conditions, Maphunye said: “It would be interesting to find out as to what the different provinces’ reports have listed as persons who must step aside, especially given the KZN deputy ANC leader, Mike Mabuyakhulu’s, decision to step aside voluntarily.”
Magashule was not available for comment and his phone was off.