ANC’s integrity commission wants Ace Magashule to step aside

The African National Congress (ANC) integrity has found that its Secretary-General Ace Magashule has a case to answer in the eyes of the party and has recommended that he step aside.

The commission is believed to have submitted its report to the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) just days after Magashule appeared.

The ANC bigwig faced the commission over the weekend, in relation to a string of charges he faces for his alleged role in a dodgy R255 million asbestos tender.

Magashule is said to have financially benefited from the lucrative tender, which was awarded when he was still premier of the Free State in 2014.

The provincial human settlements awarded the controversial a contract to two companies – Diamond Hill and Blackhead Consulting, to audit and assess houses for asbestos roofs in the province.

The project entailed inspecting 300 000 low-cost houses, however it would later be revealed that almost no work was no done, despite the money being paid.

ANC’s Ace Magashule told to step aside – but what does that mean?

There has been much confusion on what stepping aside actually means, particularly in a political context. However, Magashule’s own deputy Jessie Duarte has clarified that he would simply not continue carrying out any of his duties while the matter is before the courts.

Magashule handed himself over to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) earlier in November and subsequently made an appearance before the Bloemfontein magistrate’s court. He faces charges of corruption, fraud and money laundering. He was released on bail of R200 000.

The case has been postponed to February 2021.

Magashule had previously said that he would not step aside from his duties, in the wake of the allegations.