By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@AlonSkuy.
ANC deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte believes the party’s suspended secretary-general Ace Magashule will issue a public apology this week for attempting to suspend President Cyril Ramaphosa without a mandate from the party’s structures.
Duarte, who addressed the media on Tuesday afternoon about the party’s NEC meeting over the weekend, said Ramaphosa had mentioned that Magashule should apologise within 48 hours but the NEC did not impose a strict deadline.
Magashule was suspended from his top ANC job and party activities last week after failing to step aside from his position while he faces corruption charges in the Bloemfontein high court regarding a R255-million asbestos audit contract while he was Free State premier.
ANC NEC member and MP Bongani Bongo also received a suspension notice and Duarte said provinces had submitted the names of about 30 other individuals who are facing criminal charges and will be expected to step aside or face suspension.
Duarte reiterated she was still the deputy secretary-general and was not in any way taking Magashule’s position while he served his suspension. She said she would, however, be carrying out the duties that fell under him.
She said the ruling party is the only one in the country that is building structure at grass roots level and making itself accountable to the electorate.
In addition, she said during a media briefing on Tuesday, the ANC was the only party “putting itself out there” at the State Capture Commission.
But despite this, funders are reluctant to lend a financial hand to the ANC and the party has a real cashflow problem, Duarte said.
She also said the ANC asked for the Party Political Funding Act, knowing there would be consequences.
“There seems to be some idea we are against it. We knew there would be consequences, but we did it so we could deal with the matter of how to support and fund democracy in a democratic state.”
Duarte also dispelled rumours that the party had plans to reduce staff by 50%.
“Labour law doesn’t allow us to reduce staff by 50%. We need to go through a process if we were to make such a decision. We will do so using labour laws.”
A number of leaked audio recordings, both relating to the ANC national executive committee (NEC) meeting this past weekend, and past leaked clips, was also condemned by Duarte.
“I think it’s very wrong to sneak into a private meeting and put out what you think is sensational, without knowing the whole story.”