Former FS Premier and current ANC SG Ace Magashule. Photo by GIANLUIGI GUERCIA / AFP
Former FS Premier and current ANC SG Ace Magashule. Photo by GIANLUIGI GUERCIA / AFP
The hammer has fallen on controversial ANC stalwart Ace Magashule. After refusing to budge from his position as the party’s Secretary-General, President Cyril Ramaphosa and his ‘Top Six’ comrades were left with no other choice, and officially suspended the 61-year-old on Wednesday afternoon.
Why has Ace Magashule been suspended by the ANC?
The suspension will be a temporary measure, but it does now enforce the ANC’s ‘step aside’ policy as a legitimate course of action. On Tuesday, KZN’s Deputy Leader of the 109-year-old organisation confirmed he was leaving his role ‘until his own cases of corruption have been resolved’ – the decision seemingly paved the way for Ace’s suspension.
Magashule is accused of graft in the province of Free State. While he ruled as the provincial premier, the political veteran stands accused of orchestrating a fraudulent operation worth more than R250 million, enriching himself and his cronies through an alleged ‘asbestos auditing contract’. He has been charged by the Hawks, and further litigation awaits.
Step aside rule claims party stalwart
The ‘step aside’ rule is a gentle push in the right direction for any ANC member accused of corrupt acts. If they do not voluntarily give up their positions after 30 days, a suspension will be enforced.
Ace Magashule is now banned from carrying out any public duties in his capacity as an ANC member – and the suspension has been backdated to Monday 3 May. We can now expect some significant pushback from Magashule and his factional supporters within the party – and he’s likely to challenge the decision in the coming days.
- – This is a developing story and we’ll have more updates on the homepage, as they roll in.
[JUST-IN] The @MYANC has officially temporarily suspended the membership of its Secretary General #AceMagashule until the finalization of court case. Magashule is prohibited from making public pronouncements. Suspension is effective from the 3rd May 2021. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/6eEwLX7cKP
— #TheLordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) May 5, 2021
