Deadline looms for Magashule’s apology
THE deadline is looming for suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule to officially apologise to President Cyril Ramaphosa before the end of business today or face disciplinary action for his “unlawful suspension letter” to the sitting president of the party.
Yesterday, Magashule and his supporters suffered yet another blow after the acting secretary-general Jessie Duarte dismissed any possibility for an early elective conference for the ANC.
ANC national executive committee (NEC) member Dakota Legoete – a close ally of Magashule – could be heard in the audio clips of the NEC meeting on Saturday propagating for an early conference due to the factional fights within the party, but Duarte’s comments yesterday on the outcome of the NEC meeting settled the issue.
“There was no decision on an early conference. Such a decision must be taken by 75% of the ANC branches in the country. It’s only a group of people in KwaZulu-Natal,” Duarte said.
While the clock is ticking for Magashule, Duarte expressed hope that he “will rise to the occasion” and duly apologise to ANC structures and community but political analyst Sandile Swana believes that Magashule will “go for broke”.
Speaking to eNCA, Swana said: “I don’t think he is likely to offer any apology.” He said that some of his supporters are of the view that his accusers are not holy either. Swana was adamant that Magashule will only be persuaded to apologise by his supporters if they believe an apology will attract “credible benefit” to them. While it is not clear whether Magashule will comply, Duarte reiterated to the media that her party would prefer disciplinary charges against him, if he fails to do so.
“We had other people calling from other countries wanting to verify the suspension. He had no legal basis to write such a suspension. We had requested the S-G to apologise within 48 hours. The NEC did not conclude on the time frame but that was announced by the president during his closing remarks yesterday,” Duarte said.