File
The ANC's national executive committee appears to be taking a tougher line on suspended Secretary-General Ace Magashule demanding that he publicly apologise for writing a letter suspending party president, Cyril Ramaphosa.
This was one of a number of resolutions adopted at the party's NEC meeting this weekend and announced today by Ramaphosa.
The ANC suspended Magashule for failing to adhere to their step-aside policy for members accused of corruption and other serious crimes.
He instead appealed his suspension and in turn announced the suspension of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
"The NEC agreed that such conduct was completely unacceptable and a flagrant violation of the rules, norms, and values of the African National Congress. The NEC furthermore instructed the officials to advise the Secretary-General to apologise publicly to ANC structures and members within a set time-frame," Ramaphosa said.
He said if Magashule fails to do this he will face disciplinary action. The party's Deputy Secretary-General, Jessie Duarte, will take over his functions.
Meanwhile, Ramaphosa said that NEC members expressed concern about "a concerted and well-orchestrated and well-resourced campaign to sow division and confusion in the ranks of the ANC.
He said their ultimate aim to destroy the movement as an instrument of progressive transformation and change.
"It noted that this campaign is actively aided by a few individuals from within the National Executive Committee itself, through leaks, deviant public pronouncements, protests, and misinformation on social media aimed at distorting the decisions of the NEC," Ramaphosa said.
"The NEC agreed to take urgent steps to investigate the leaks from the NEC and any organised campaign to subvert the movement and take appropriate action," he added.
