South Africa’s ruling party African National Congress (ANC) on Tuesday announced it will suspend all party members who are facing charges of corruption and other serious crimes and have refused to step down, reported Anadolu Agency.
In a statement, the party said the National Working Committee (NWC) has instructed that letters be sent to all members “implementing this decision and outlining the terms and conditions regulating their participation and conduct during the suspension.”
Among the top ruling party members who have been charged with corruption are ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule, a powerful politician who manages the party’s daily affairs, and Bongani Thomas Bongo, a former state security minister.
Magashule is accused of corruption charges in connection to a $15 million deal to remove asbestos from homes in the Free State province, where he served as premier from 2009 to 2018. He continues to deny involvement in corruption. Bongo also faces corruption, money laundering charges, and the contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.
In a meeting held in March, the ANC’s National Executive Committee decided that any party official charged with corruption or any other serious crime will have to step aside, but some of the party members, including Magashule, did not comply with the party’s order.
Last year, the ANC’s Integrity Commission also recommended that Magashule step down from his position pending the outcome of his corruption case.
“The NWC resolved that the last decision of the National Executive Committee, as outlined above, must be implemented,” the ruling party said in a statement.
The statement added that those who have not stepped aside will be suspended.
Last week, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa accepted that the ruling party should have taken strict steps to prevent corruption under former president Jacob Zuma, during his highly anticipated testimony to the Zondo inquiry commission.
