By Kaya 959 News
Just hours after receiving a letter of suspension from the ANC, the party’s Secretary-General Ace Magashule, has announced that he was suspending President of the ANC, Cyril Ramaphosa.
“I have also, in accordance with the powers vested in me as the Secretary-General of the ANC, and furthermore in full compliance with the relevant conference Resolutions summarily suspended the President of the ANC, comrade Cyril Ramaphosa,” Magashule announced in a statement issued on Wednesday night.
“This is done in terms of Resolution 8.2 of the 54th National Conference, which states that, ‘… Every cadre accused of, or reported to be involved in, corrupt practices accounts to the Integrity Committee immediately, or faces DC processes’….,and Resolution 8.3 that further provides for the suspension of, ‘… people who fail to give an acceptable explanation, or to voluntarily step down while they face disciplinary, investigative or prosecutorial procedures’.”
“I call on all members of the African National Congress to act with revolutionary dignity and respect, and to uphold the ANC Constitution. None of us should bow to illegal and unconstitutional actions. In doing so we must protect the unity of the ANC as leader of society,” Magashule said.
READ: ANC leaders facing criminal charges given 30 days to resign
Magashule suspended for six months
He said he was issuing the statement in his capacity of the ANC SC. He said he received a letter signed by Deputy SG Jessie Duarte, that temporarily suspended him for six months.
“It is my understanding that this letter was issued to me in terms of a decision of the National Working Committee, held on Monday the 3rd of May 2021, in terms of Rule 25.70 and Rule 13, to the effect that all members who have been indicted to appear in a court of law on charges, are to be temporarily suspended.
“Other members who are similarly effected have received similar letters,” he said.
Magashule said it is evident that the Deputy Secretary General does not have the authority to issue such letters. Thus the letter is fatally flawed, and in fact unconstitutional.
“Furthermore these letters are based on a selective and factional interpretation of the relevant Resolution. 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 it’s final outcome announced,” he said.
READ: President Cyril Ramaphosa to testify at State Capture Commission
Magashule slams “unconstitutional letters”
“For the sake of fairness and justice to all the affected comrades, who have received similarly unconstitutional letters, I as Secretary General – who is duty bound to uphold the ANC Constitution and all administrative processes – urge them to also follow the appropriate internal appeal processes.
“It follows that the suspensions of all affected members will also in terms of the ANC Constitution be suspended with immediate effect,” Magashule said.
ANC spokesperson, Pule Mabe, called on Magashule to respect the decisions of the National Executive Committee.
“The ANC notes the letter written by the SC to the President. The decisions of the NEC and National Working Committee stand.
“The NEC will be meeting over the weekend and will accordingly respond. The ANC request the SG respect the decisions of the NEC and subject himself to the discipline of the organisation,” he said.
