The restrictions imposed on embattled ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule as part of his suspension are set to weaken him politically should he be unable to manoeuvre around them.
This is according to political analysts after Magashule was dealt a political blow and pushed out of Luthuli House by the party after his refusal to step aside from his position over fraud and corruption charges against him relating to the multimillion-rand Free State asbestos roofing tender saga.
The case is expected back in court in August for a pretrial.
Magashule has now also been barred from mobilising activities within and outside the ANC, including on the “step-aside” rule, despite his supporters having vowed to fight any move to remove him from Luthuli House.
Yesterday, it transpired that the party’s deputy secretary-general, Jessie Duarte, had slapped Magashule with a suspension letter on Monday in which she pointed out that the ANC national working committee (NWC) had directed that he and other leaders facing criminal charges be suspended if they refused to step aside. The deadline for implicated party officials to step aside was Friday.
“Accordingly, on the authority of the NWC, you are hereby temporarily suspended with effect from May 3 2021 until the final outcome of your court proceedings,” Duarte said.
Duarte outlined in the suspension letter that Magashule was barred from carrying out his responsibilities as the secretary-general of the party and that he may not “represent the organisation publicly or in any other forum” or “make public pronouncements on matters related to the organisation”.
Prof Tinyiko Maluleke said the political restrictions were set to weaken Magashule as they effectively disabled him from political activity but that they were inevitable.
“He will be restricted if he obeys them. But they were a natural consequence of this kind of sanction. The restrictions on organisations outside the ANC is that the party thinks he could use them, including churches and NGOs, as a proxy to address ANC members and stopping that has restricted him,” Maluleke said.
Political analyst Ralph Mathekga said Magashule could, however, use his backers to do his bidding in his absence to avoid punishment.
“Remember, if people mobilise it does not mean you can find him guilty for those people mobilising. The big question now is that you have attempted to isolate him politically, can you manage to keep the party away from him? If he sits at home and activity continues all over, you cannot easily pin it on him,” Mathekga said.
Duarte pointed out that Magashule would be entitled to his remuneration and other benefits as a full-time ANC office bearer during his suspension and that he had to give her monthly updates on his corruption case.
“The decision to temporarily suspend you will be reviewed by the NEC every six months, or from time to time at your request,” Duarte said.
The uMkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) has expressed continued support for Magashule despite the political restrictions imposed on him.
MKMVA president Kebby Maphatsoe said the organisation would visit Magashule and that this would not warrant his punishment.
“He will not be mobilising anyone. We are the ones who are requesting a meeting with him. And you cannot say he must not address visitors. We not living in the apartheid era here,” Maphatsoe said.
The ANC was issuing suspension letters to its other members who refused to voluntarily step aside and a report on those affected members is being prepared for the NEC meeting at the weekend.
The party has also indicated that ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile had tabled the report on the proposed terms and conditions which will regulate the participation and conduct of members who had chosen to voluntarily step aside.
“The affected member must update the relevant secretariat on a monthly basis regarding progress with their cases,” the NWC said.
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