‘Close to impossible’ for ANC to relieve Magashule of his duties – analyst

The party’s national executive committee (NEC) meets from Sunday to Tuesday, its first meeting since the arrest of the secretary-general Ace Magashule on charges of corruption.

The issue of members facing criminal charges is expected to be on top of the agenda as the party attempts to clean up its image.

 Kotze says it is close to impossible for Magashule to be relieved of his duties.

"There is nothing providing authority to the NEC and the National Working Committee to remove Ace Magashule as secretary-general. He basically has to resign, and the other option is the disciplinary hearing which is also very unlikely.

“If he leaves it will be under tremendous pressure and he will have to resign."

He says the discussions on corruption will be heated.

"It is going to be a very tough discussion, there is clearly a difference of opinions on this matter my expectation is that we will not get any resolution on this matter, it might be taken over to the next meeting.

“They would rather confirm the resolutions that they have taken in the past on anti-corruption, but this is likely going to be outstanding."

Listen to Professor Dirk Kotze below:

Although the corruption allegations have damaged the image of ANC as a brand, Kotze says the party has yet to pay the price at the ballot box.  

"There is mix messages about corruption. On the one hand, the ANC is outspoken about being an anti-corruption government and on the other hand we still see activities of corruption especially associated with the Covid-19 PPEs, but we saw the outcomes of the by-elections and they were still in favour of the ANC."

"The people still support Ramaphosa and there is a growing resistance against corruption, this pushes the ANC in the direction that those who are accused of corruption will become less and less prominent in the organisation and this is what the people want.”