Magashule has appeared before ANC integrity commission – what’s next?
The African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Ace Magashule’s fate currently hangs in the balance after he appeared before the party’s integrity commission on Saturday, 12 December 2020.
Magashule volunteered to face the commission – and answer for corruption charges he faces for his alleged role in a R255 million tender awarded in the Free State when he was still premier.
The waiting game begins as the ANC’s Deputy Secretary-General Jessie Duarte said the party is yet to receive a report from the commission on Magashule’s appearance.
Speaking during an interview with eNCA, Duarte said the top six and by extension, National Executive Committee (NEC) do not know the conclusion of the meeting nor what was discussed.
“What we will then do is as soon as we receive that report, we’ll follow the dictates of the 54th resolution which gives us three steps to follow. One is that a person can go to the integrity commission, they can voluntarily step aside, not step down…Thirdly you can go to an internal disciplinary committee of the ANC for further questioning,”
ANC Deputy Secretary General Jessie Duarte
In 2014, the Free State department of human settlements awarded a multimillion rand 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.
Should Magashule step aside or step down? There’s a difference
There has also been immense public pressure on the ANC to give Magashule the axe while the party is also at loggerheads over a controversial resolution which says members facing criminal charges must step aside.
Step aside or Step down – these are two contentious terms which have come up in the wake of the charges against Magashule. His deputy has gone on to clarify the difference – emphasising that they are not yet in the know, as far as Magashule’s future is concerned.
“There’s a difference…Stepping down means you completely leave and never come back. Stepping aside means you may vacate your position until the matter that is before you has been cleared or resolved,” Duarte said.
ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa and NEC member Zizi Kodwa are also believed to have appeared before the commission but Duarte said they could not confirm the reports at this stage.
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