ANC Secretary-General takes party to court over suspension
South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general, Ace Magashule is taking the party to court over his suspension.
Media reports show that Magashule made his argument stating that Rule 25.70 in the ruling party’s constitution is unconstitutional.
“The papers were available on Thursday, May 13, 2021, and are set to be lodged in court on Friday on a semi-urgent basis, and that advocate Dali Mpofu is acting on his behalf,” the statement declares.
The new move challenges a party decision to suspend members facing serious criminal charges and who refuse to step down. The ANC resolved at its 2017 national conference that any representative (elected or employed) who was criminally charged should step aside. Magasghule faces several corruption-related charges in connection with contracts the Free State provincial government awarded during his time as premier.
Samkele Maseko, the politics reporter for state broadcaster SABC, said on Twitter;
JUST-IN] Legally and politically embattled @MYANC Secretary General #AceMagashule has served Luthuli House with court papers challenging the constitutionality of the “step-aside” #ANC 2017 Conference resolution and #ANCNEC that resulted in his suspension. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/hAMBqmBvOv
— #TheLordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) May 14, 2021
He followed up with a tweet that says:
#AceMagashule wants the High Court to rule that the #ANC “Step-Aside” resolution is unconstitutional and that his suspension as Sec General be lifted.Magashule also wants the ‘suspension’ of President Ramaphosa to be enforced until it’s declared unlawful by the court.#sabcnews pic.twitter.com/2G1oaDJ0kc
— #TheLordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) May 14, 2021
The SABC is reporting that Magashule has until the end of business on Friday May 14 to publicly apologise to ANC structures for sending a letter of suspension to party President Cyril Ramaphosa or face further action. Earlier this week, the ANC said it would further discipline Magashule if he did not apologise for trying to retaliate against Ramaphosa for his suspension.
After Magashule’s suspension was announced, a letter written by Magashule to Ramaphosa was leaked to the media. In the letter, Magashule informed Ramaphosa of his decision to suspend him.
Suzan O/ALLAFRICA,TWITTER
