Duarte: ANC NEC ‘not taking corruption matters lightly’
African National Congress (ANC) deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte says the party will not make any rash decisions on leaders accused of corruption and fraud.
This comes as the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) faces mounting pressure for it to deal decide the fate of secretary-general Ace Magashule.
Magashule is facing multiple charges of fraud, corruption and money-laundering linked to an asbestos audit tender that was awarded during his time as Free State premier.
The ANC’s integrity commission handed recommended Magashule step aside pending the court case.
On Friday, Duarte told the media that the party is taking the matter seriously.
“The NEC is dealing quite diligently with this matter. I’m a bit reluctant to give you answers here and now that might undo what the NEC is discussing.
“The fact of the matter is that we can’t treat this matter too simplistically. It is not a simple matter and allegations are allegations and as we see as we go along there are cases where people have been accused and then cases are thrown out of court after the they have vacated from the position they are in and there’s no coming back to that,” Duarte said.
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The party is preparing for its annual January 8 statement.
The 109th celebrations will be hosted in Limpopo in 2021.
Duarte said the governing party would downscale on its celebrations amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The normal movement of busses from provinces to provinces, hundreds of people coming to one single venue will not be happening this year.”
She admitted the celebrations take place on the backdrop of a myriad of challenges the party and the country are faced with.
