Photo: GCIS / Flickr
Photo: GCIS / Flickr
ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule is facing a grilling from the ANC Integrity Commission ‘within the next week’, for comments he made about his own personal stance on corruption. The controversial politician was scheduled for a showdown with his fellow members of the executive this Saturday, but dates have been changed.
ANC plan Integrity Commission meeting with Ace Magashule
In a letter circulated on Thursday afternoon, the Integrity Commission outline their desire to speak with Magashule and ‘clarify’ the contentious remarks he made on 7 July: This is the utterance that’s landed him in trouble:
“The Integrity Commission of the ANC has taken note of the interview that you conducted on 7 July. You are alleged to have said: ‘I shall not step aside due to allegations of corruption’.”
“We had hoped to meet with you to clarify what was said in that interview on Saturday 29 August. We were, however, advised that there is a special NEC meeting you will be attending over the weekend. We therefore request your audience at a time of your convenience, during any time within the next week.”
ANC Integrity Commission
What is Ace Magashule accused of?
The interview has raised eyebrows within the highest structures of the ANC, as it contradicts the strong anti-corruption message the party wishes to express following a ‘COVID feeding frenzy’. Sordid details of illegal tenders and dodgy contracts handed out as part of the emergency response to the pandemic have left many South Africans feeling despondent with the government, and Ace Magashule has done little to ease the tension.
Amongst other things, Ace Magashule is implicated in a suspicious asbestos contract from his time as Free State Premier. His sons were also accused of being part of the ‘COVID corruption’ saga, netting a PPE contract worth millions from the Treasury. The SG now has a week to get his story straight.
You can find the ANC statement here:
[JUST-IN] The @MYANC Intergrity Commission is ‘seeking’ audience with party Secretary General Ace Magashule who recently in an interview said “I would never step aside due to allegations of corruption” #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/0Z2GKsMoQP
— #TheLordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) August 27, 2020
