The ANC has confirmed the expulsion of former secretary-general Ace Magashule, sending one of its most high-profile members into the political wilderness.
Magashule was found guilty by the party’s national disciplinary committee (NDC) for failing to apologise for his unilateral decision in 2021 to suspend President Cyril Ramaphosa. He was given seven days to appeal against the decision.
“After a guilty verdict by the NDC, comrade Ace Magashule was allowed to show cause why he should not be expelled from the ANC,” party spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said in a statement.
“Upon the lapse of seven days, the NDC had not received any representations to that effect. Consequently, the NDC confirmed the expulsion of comrade Ace Magashule from the ANC as a final sanction,” Bhengu-Motsiri said.
In 2021, after being served with a letter of temporary suspension, Magashule “suspended” Ramaphosa in a leaked letter, which appeared to emanate from his office.
Magashule was temporarily suspended from the ANC until the final outcome of his court proceedings in connection with a R230m asbestos eradication tender. He was not expected to perform any of his duties during his suspension.
However, he still received his salary and other benefits that came with his employment.
While Magashule’s expulsion is in line with the ANC’s reform agenda, it could also lead to the ANC further haemorrhaging support in the Free State in the 2024 general election, according to electoral analyst Wayne Sussman.
“The expulsion was expected. It is probable that he will become a leading member of another political party. I don’t think the impact will be beyond the Free State province but will impact the ANC in the Free State,” Sussman said.
Political analyst Ongama Mtimka said Magashule’s expulsion was symbolic of how weak Ramaphosa’s opponents in the ANC were.
Now that Magashule is expelled from the ANC it could worsen factional tensions in the party. Magashule is among the ANC leaders who have been accused of facilitating state capture for then president Jacob Zuma’s associates, the Guptas.
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