South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) has suspended its beleaguered secretary general Ace Magashule who has defied a party directive to step aside until he is cleared in an ongoing corruption case.
In a letter signed by deputy secretary general Jessie Duarte, the party said the suspension will be reviewed every six months.
“You are temporarily suspended with effect from May 3 2021 until the final outcome of your court proceedings,” the letter said.
Magashule is expected back in court in August to face corruption, fraud and money-laundering charges relating to alleged illegal dealings involving a contract issued while he was premier of Free State province.
He missed an April 30 deadline imposed by the ANC National Executive Committee to step aside from his party position pending the outcome of his court case.
JN/APA