AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER
ACE Magashule, the ANC secretary-general should step aside voluntarily or be suspended by the party, because he is facing criminal charges, the ANC’s Integrity Commission (IC) has ruled.
Magashule appeared before the IC, chaired by ANC veteran George Mashamba on Saturday where he explained himself in connection with the criminal charges he faces. He has to answer to 21 corruption-related charges linked to a R230m asbestos eradication tender awarded during his tenure as Free State premier.
In its three page report, the IC recommended that Magashule should, in line with the party’s resolution taken at the 54th conference at Nasrec, step down until the finalisation of the criminal case against him.
The IC report is expected to be tabled before the ANC top officials, who are Cyril Ramaphosa (President), David Mabuza (Deputy President), Paul Mashatile (Treasurer), Gwede Mantashe (Chairperson) and Jessie Duarte (Deput Secretary-General). The officials are expected to refer the report to the party’s national executive committee, its highest decision making body in between conferences.
According to the IC report, Magashule has declared his willingness to abide by the decision of the national executive committee that members facing criminal charges should step down. However, should he not step down voluntarily, the NEC should consider suspending him, in line with the ANC’s constitution, the IC has recommended.
