THE AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER
THE ANC goes into this weekend’s national executive committee (NEC) meeting bruised and battered by two days of political wars which has deepened divisions within the party.
Chaos erupted at the highest level of the party, when a power struggle ensued between the Ace Magashule, the ANC secretary-general and its president, Cyril Ramaphosa.
Magashule was suspended because he is an accused in a criminal court and hours later attempted to suspend Ramaphosa for vote buying.
Magashule’s unilateral move has united the top four highest ranking officials in the ANC- Deputy President David Mabuza, Treasurer Paul Mashatile, National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe and Deputy Secretary-General Jessie Duarte – behind Ramaphosa.
Mantashe spoke out against Magashule’s action and described his “suspension” of Ramaphosa as meaningless because the secretary-general does not have power to suspend the president.
With him isolated from the top officials, Magashule’s fate lies in the hand of the NEC, the party’s highest decision making body in between conferences, where the Ramaphosa has majority support.
Sources in the Magashule camp revealed that the plan is to stage a mass walkout out of the ANC, by those aligned to him, in an attempt to collapse the meeting. The walkout is planned to take place when Magashule, who insists he is not suspended because he has lodged an appeal, is denied access to the meeting. The walkout is expected to be preceded by a night vigil outside Luthuli House, the ANC headquarters tonight, to show support for Magashule.
Those close to Ramaphosa are understood to be preparing to ask the ANC to press new charges against Magashule stemming out of his unprecedented attempt to suspend the party president. Some are calling for his expulsion.
The escalation of dirty tricks from the ANC factions led to Magashule’s supporters calling for the suspension of Duarte, claiming that she has a criminal record.
In Parliament yesterday, Ramaphosa assured the ANC caucus that Magashule’s suspension letter was null and void. He told ANC MPs he was shocked and dismayed by Magashule’s letter.
Later during the Presidential Question Time in the National Assembly, Ramaphosa came under pressure from opposition parties – the Democratic Alliance to answer questions around the developments in the ANC. He dismissed opposition leader John Steenhuysen. “It’s none of your business,” he said.
