ANC to discuss ‘step aside’
ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule has remained mum amid consultations with former party leaders and ahead of the national working committee (NWC) tomorrow to discuss the step aside issue.
The party’s NWC is expected to collate lists of party members affected by the step-aside resolution.
Magashule is facing 21 charges of fraud and corruption related to his tenure as Free State premier over a R250 million tender.
Magashule met former president Thabo Mbeki and former deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe on Friday as part of his consultation process.
ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe said the party had a national working committee meeting tomorrow and would only deal with several reports relating to the step-aside resolution matter.
"We have communicated that the NEC will only know through the NWC when the ruling party meets, get briefed on what has happened and get reports,” said Mabe.
The NWC meeting tomorrow will be followed by the NEC meeting on Saturday.
Magashule, former ethekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede, former Eastern Cape Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba, ANC Kwazulu-natal deputy chairperson Mike Mabuyakhulu, ANC Limpopo treasurer Danny Msiza and many other prominent ANC leaders who have been charged with corruption and other legal infringements.
Political analyst Ralph Mathekga said he did not think that Magashule would step down from his position.
“I don’t think Magashule will step aside; he is aware the party is divided on this matter and that affords him more space to push back against the implementation of the resolution. When the Yengeni matter was dealt with in the ANC the party was not as divided as it is now, there was then a sense of coherence of leadership within the ANC,” said Mathekga.
SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande, speaking at the Cosatu rally yesterday, said they welcomed the latest decisions and actions taken by the ANC to deal with corruption and factionalism within its own ranks.
“The SACP, Cosatu and all the democratic forces must unite in support of the decisive stance by the ANC to deal with corruption.”