By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@AlonSkuy.
The suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule ordered to apologize and if he refuses,he will face disciplinary action that could see him expelled from party.
That is the warning the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) has issued following a three-day meeting that concluded on Monday afternoon.
If Magashule fails to apologise within a set period, he could face further censure by the party’s disciplinary structure, said president Cyril Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa said the NEC noted that Magashule had no power or mandate from the party’s highest decision-making body to pen such a letter.
He also made it clear that Magashule remains suspended from the party while his Free State asbestos audit corruption case is being heard in court.
“The NEC agreed that such conduct was completely unacceptable and a flagrant violation of the rules, norms and values of the ANC. The NEC furthermore instructed the officials to advise the secretary-general to apologise publicly to ANC structures and members within a set time frame.
“If he fails to do so, the ANC will institute disciplinary procedures in accordance with the ANC constitution,” Ramaphosa said.
Ramphosa also reiterated that party deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte would take up Magashule’s functions while he remains suspended and condemned attacks levelled at her and Luthuli House staffers.
“Deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte will, in accordance with the ANC constitution, carry out the functions entrusted to the secretary-general by the national conference, the national general Council, the NEC or the NWC [national working committee]…”
“Members have condemned the unwarranted attacks on the deputy secretary-general and ANC staff members at Luthuli House for carrying out decisions of the NEC, NWC and officials. These attacks have taken the form of threats, insults, unfounded allegations and misinformation, “Ramaphosa said.
ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa at the special NEC meeting held from the 8th of May 2021 until Monday the 10th of May 2021 https://t.co/C20cdjmReK via @YouTube
— African National Congress (@MYANC) May 10, 2021
“We have also noted with great concern death threats made against ANC NEC co-ordinator Andries Nel and agreed that this should be reported to the relevant authorities. The NEC expresses its full confidence in Duarte and supports her in carrying out her duties as per the ANC constitution,” he said.