Faizel Patel – 03/05/2021
Political analyst Professor Amanda Gouws says African National Congress (ANC) secretary general Ace Magashule is losing support in his determination not to vacate his position as part of the party’s step-aside rule for members facing corruption and other serious charges.
On Monday, Business Day reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa reportedly won the “unequivocal” backing of the rest of the ANC’s top six for Magashule to “immediately” step aside pending the outcome of his fraud and corruption case.
The deadline given to Magashule and other ANC members charged in criminal cases, to step aside, ended on Friday.
However, there is no indication that any of those implicated including former North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo and former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede have any plans to leave.
The ANC national working committee met on Monday with the contentious step-aside resolution topping the agenda.
Speaking to Radio Islam, Gouws says at this point, where corruption is a huge problem for the ANC, the step-aside rule will be enforced by the party.
She says while Magashule’s was “winning” support from the party to remain in his position, this has now waned.
“It seems to me in the last couple of weeks many of those also in cabinet who supported him have deserted him and that he has been part of his thirty days grace visited president Zuma. But he has also visited ex-president Kgalema Motlanthe and Thabo Mbeki and that they have reiterated to him that he should step aside and not bring the ANC into disrepute.”
Gouws says the ANC will also have to “tighten-up” the way they deal with the provinces.
“You cannot have one set of rules on a national level and then have another set of rules on a provincial level. So, I think if there is a loophole there, it will probably be plugged by the ANC.”
Gouws says if ANC members are suspended from the party as part of the step aside rule, they have nowhere to go and will head to the courts unless the ANC can convince them that that is not in their best interests.
Listen to the interview with Professor Amanda Gouws
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