By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@AlonSkuy.
Suspended ANC secretary general Ace Magashule has hit back, claiming that he has suspended party president Cyril Ramaphosa.
A defiant Magashule, who was this week suspended for failing to step aside, described his suspension from party activities as “fatally flawed”, while questioning his deputy’s authority to issue him with the letter.
Speaking out on Thursday morning, Magashule said he remained in his post until his appeal challenging his suspension had been heard.
As part of his suspension, Magashule has been barred from addressing public rallies or handling party-related matters while serving his suspension and facing criminal charges in a court of law.
He was served with a letter on Wednesday following a national working committee (NWC) meeting on Monday.
Magashule issued his statement in his capacity as the secretary general of the ANC through a Gmail account, said deputy secretary general Jessie Duarte had no authority to issue him with a suspension letter.
He also claimed he was using his powers as secretary general to “summarily” suspend Ramaphosa “in full compliance with the relevant conference resolutions”.
“This is done in terms of Resolution 8.2 of the 54th National Conference, which states that, “… Every cadre accused of, or reported to be involved in, corrupt practices accounts to the Integrity Committee immediately, or faces DC processes….,and Resolution 8.3 that further provides for the suspension of, “… people who fail to give an acceptable explanation, or to voluntarily step down while they face disciplinary, investigative or prosecutorial procedures”.
“I call on all members of the ANC to act with revolutionary dignity and respect, and to uphold the ANC Constitution. None of us should bow to illegal and unconstitutional actions. In doing so we must protect the unity of the ANC as leader of society,” said Magashule.
Meanwhile In a statement, ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe said the “ANC notes the letter written by the Secretary General Comrade Ace Magashule to the President of the ANC Comrade Cyril Ramaphosa.
“The decisions of the National Executive Committee and National Working Committee stand.
“The NEC will be meeting over the weekend and will accordingly respond to the Secretary General.
“The ANC requests that the Secretary General respect the decisions of the NEC and subject himself to the discipline of the organization”, said Mabe.
Magashule’s official letter to Ramaphosa on Monday declaring that his CR17 campaign had been reported to the Serious Offences Directorate of the ANC, where Magashule indicated that Ramaphosa himself should let the party know that Ramaphosa’s suspension would be in the best interests of the party.
Below is the full Wednesday letter from Magashule to Ramaphosa, as released (or leaked).
