Magashule defied conditions of suspension by addressing Zuma supporters, says analyst
Political analyst Ralph Mathekga believes suspended African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Ace Magashule defied the conditions of his suspension by addressing supporters of former president Jacob Zuma.
Magashule addressed supporters outside the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Monday following Zuma’s appearance on charges of fraud and corruption.
The case was postponed to 26 May.
Mathekga said the embattled secretary-general broke his suspension rules.
"He did defy and there is no doubt that Magashule is no longer or has never subscribed to any rules of the suspension.
"That is quite consistent because he sees the suspension as a betrayal, which he is challenging in court, and he doesn't respect any rules of the suspension.”
Magashule has taken his party to the High Court in Johannesburg, saying his suspension and the step-aside resolution are unconstitutional.
He was suspended earlier this month after he failed to bow to growing pressure to temporarily step aside while waiting for his corruption case to be finalised.
ANC NEC member Tony Yengeni also told supporters that state organs are being used against some in the party.
"I am not surprised because these are the people who are seeing the alleging use of state resources institutions such as the NPA to target them politically,” said Mathekga.
"The likes of Magashule and Yengeni, even reflected on his own trial regarding corruption that it was politically orchestrated.”
