ANC vs Ace Magashule as parties face off in court

The ANC's suspended secretary-general, Ace Mgashule, wants the High court to declare the so-called "step aside rule" by the party's National Executive Committee to be declared unlawful, invalid, and unconstitutional.

He wants his suspension to be lifted, and he is also asking the court to back the letter of suspension that he sent to ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa.

In his court papers, party president Cyril Ramaphosa is the first respondent followed by acting party secretary-general Jessie Duarte and the ANC.

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The legal battle is expected to take two days to hear. 

Magashule's core argument is that the "step aside" rule goes against both the party's constitution and the country's. 

The ANC has denied that the rule was introduced as a way to remove Magashule from power. 

This week the ANC was meant to host a briefing on political developments, but this was postponed.