Ace Magashule: Anc Call's Ace's Bluff, Secretary-general Temporarily Suspended
- Ace Magashule has been temporarily suspended from the ANC according to a letter dated 3 May 2021
- Magashule has been forced to step aside until the charges against him are settled
- The secretary-general refused to step aside in the face of charges relating to a R250 million asbestos auditing tender
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Ace Magashule had been adamant that the ANC would not suspend him but on Wednesday it was revealed that the ruling party had made a decision.
After Magashule refused to voluntarily step aside the ANC has enforced its step-aside policy by suspending the 61-year-old ANC veteran until the pending court cases are resolved.
Source: Getty Images
A letter dated 3 May 2021 was issued by the ANC in which deputy secretary Jessi Duarte instructed Magashule that he had been suspended according to News24.
The South African reported that this finally enforces that ANC's step-aside policy. Magashule faces charges of corruption relating to a R250 million asbestos auditing contract. He and his accomplices allegedly enriched themselves through the contract.
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Social media users have reacted with shock to the sudden news of Magashule's suspension:
@Eusebius:
"Ace Magashule's suspension has 4 conditions:
1. His SG duties can't be carried out
2. He cannot represent ANC anywhere
3. He can't make public pronouncements about the ANC
4. Can't mobile ANC structures or any other organisations/individuals, not even about step-aside rule "
@Squealer91:
"Bheki Cele warned Ace Magashule, where is Ace within 5 years. Haai Buffalo le Cat bana le maatla strong !!! "
"Take a minute and read ANC suspension letter to Ace Magashule. Signed by DSG, Jessie Duarte.
Check the four conditions of his suspension. Screenshot via @samkelemaseko"
Earlier, Briefly News reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa has received backing from the ANC Top 6 for Secretary-General Ace Magashule to step aside from his position immediately. The political party is currently waiting to hear the outcome regarding Magashule's cases of fraud and corruption.
According to a report by BusinessLIVE, Magashule said that he would not voluntarily leave his position with the ANC. This was despite the ruling that those who are facing criminal charges in the party should face suspension or leave their posts.
In other news, the Democratic Alliance (DA) wants Deputy President David Mabuza to step aside after reports that he allegedly received millions of rands while he was still the Premier of Mpumalanga.
An investigation was launched into a donation that was allegedly made into Mabuza's personal account by Eskom. The amount deposited into the account was R30 million.
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Source: Briefly News
