South African ruling party’s suspended Secretary-General Ace Magashule on Wednesday appealed his suspension from the party after being charged with corruption, reported Eyewitness News.
“I herewith announce that I am immediately, and formally, appealing this unconstitutional suspension, in terms of the ANC Constitution, my suspension is thus wholly suspended until my appeal has been heard, and its final outcome announced,” Magashule said in a letter.
He claimed, instead, that he had suspended President Cyril Ramphosa as he was facing allegations of vote-buying during his campaign to become the president of the African National Congress (ANC).
In March, the ANC gave a 30-day ultimatum to Magashule to step down after being charged with embezzling public funds while he was premier of the Free State province. He refused to resign himself, which resulted in the party suspending him.
In a letter, delivered on Monday, the ANC’s deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte informed Magashule of his temporary suspension from the party.
Firing back at Duarte’s letter, Magashule said she has no authority to issue such letters. He went on to urge other party members, who received similar suspension letters, to follow the appropriate internal appeal processes.
He said that he would no longer remain silent as state organs were being used against him and his allies.
The 61-year-old Magahsul, who rose to power under former president Jacob Zuma, is currently out on R200 000 bail and is being charged with corruption, fraud, and money laundering charges.
On Monday, the South African ruling party’s National Working Committee (NWC) gave a nod to suspend all party leaders who have been criminally charged and who did not step aside within the 30-day deadline, which expired last week.
Last week, South African President Ramaphosa accepted that the ANC should have taken steps to prevent corruption under former president Zuma, during his appearance before the Zondo inquiry commission.
