ANC vs Ace: Luthuli House reacts to court victory against Magashule

The African National Congress (ANC) has welcomed the South Gauteng High Court’s decision to rule in its favour, in the legal battle with secretary-general Ace Magashule, over his suspension.

The court handed down judgement on Friday morning, 9 July 2021, and found that his temporary ousting was within the confines of the party’s constitution.

“The ANC notes and welcomes the decision of the High Court to dismiss, with costs, the challenge by suspended Secretary General Cde ES Magashule to his suspension and the constitutionality of provisions of the ANC Constitution, and resolutions of National Conference aimed at advancing the unity and renewal by combatting corruption and protecting the integrity of the organization,” said spokesperson Pule Mabe.

“The ANC welcomes the judgment in the context of the process of unity and renewal of the ANC as evidenced by ongoing and consistent implementation of the resolutions of the 54th National Conference such as the new ANC membership system; the establishment of an ANC Electoral Committee to oversee the selection of candidates and internal ANC leadership elections; its internal dispute resolution machinery; as well as the work of the ANC Integrity Commission. Cumulatively, these interventions are consolidating the renewal of the ANC and making it a more effective instrument of liberation in the hands of the people”

ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe

Ace Magashule is taking on the ANC

Despite his recent legal blow, Ace Magashule is not going down without a fight and plans to appeal the High Court’s decision. He has vowed to continue fighting for his job as secretary-general.

Magashule believes that another court, presumably the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), would come to a different conclusion on his suspension. He already finds himself in trouble with the party for violating the terms of his suspension after he spoke to supporters of former president Jacob Zuma in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) recently.

He was suspended after he refused to step aside, in accordance with the contentious policy, which directs members who face serious charges before the courts, to temporarily vacate office.

Magashule faces fraud, money laundering and corruption charges in connection to a R255 million asbestos tender in the Free State, which was awarded when he was premier, in 2014 – this means he was one of members, to which the policy applied.