Ace Magashule

Image via: @niehaus_carl / Twitter

Ace Magashule ‘will only step aside if ANC branches instruct him to’

Following Magashule’s release on R200 000 bail, he has told his supporters that only the ANC branches that elected him can remove him.

Ace Magashule

Image via: @niehaus_carl / Twitter

African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Ace Magashule – who on Friday 13 November was officially charged with crimes relating to corruption in the Free State and given R200 000 bail – told his supporters that the ruling party belongs to no one and that he will only be removed by the branches of the organisation that elected him. 

Magashule is in the firing line now that he has been officially charged, with the ANC’s National Executive Committee having resolved to ask members with such accusations looming over them to step aside. 

‘No one bigger than ANC’ – Magashule  

Addressing his supporters outside the Loch Logan Park in Bloemfontein, Magashule said that the ANC is bigger than any of its members, and that no one in the party has the power to tell him or others to step aside unless they form part of one of the organisation’s branches that elected them. 

“I have grown up in the traditions and cultures of the ANC,” he said. 

“I have never seen one individual in the ANC deciding for us. It will never happen while we are there. It doesn’t matter who you are, how important you are, how rich you are, how poor you are, this ANC is an organisation of [various] branches.”

Magashule ‘cooperating with state investigation’ 

He said that he would respect any decision taken by these branches, and echoed ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe’s assurance that Magashule is cooperating with the state investigation into alleged wrongdoing relating to the controversial Free State asbestos scandal. 

“That is why I will respect the branches [of the ANC] if they want me to step aside. I was elected at conference, and I will go back to a special conference and the branches must say to me whether I must step aside.”

“If they want me to, I will, because it is coming it will be coming from specific units that voted for us. Nobody [else] can remove us,” he said to roaring applause from his supporters. 

Case postponed until February  

The case has been postponed until February, with Magashule’s co-accused also out on bail ranging from R50 000 – R500 000.

His co-accused include Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Johannesburg company Blackhead Consulting, Edwin Sodi, former head of the Free State Human Settlements Department Nthimotse Mokhesi;  businessman Sello Radebe; the former Director-General (DG) of the National Human Settlements Department Thabane Zulu; and former Mangaung Metro Mayor Olly Mlamleli amongst others.