Ramaphosa cracks the whip, confirms Magashule suspension

Ramaphosa delivered the closing statement of the governing party's special national executive committee (NEC) meeting held over the weekend.

The NEC wrapped up the meeting on Monday, but it wasn't without some controversy.

Suspended secretary-general Ace Magashule and ally Bongani Bongo were booted out of the virtual meeting on Saturday for going against suspension terms.

The step-aside resolution stipulates that a suspended member cannot take part in party politics until they are cleared of criminal charges.

Current deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte will step in as temporary secretary general, holding the fort for the disgraced Magashule.

"The NEC confirmed that in the light of the temporary suspension of the secretary-general,” Ramaphosa said on Monday.

“Deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte will, in accordance with the ANC's constitution, carry out the functions entrusted to the secretary-general.”

Ramaphosa lamented the pushback and threats levelled against Duarte in the build-up on the NEC meeting.

"Members have condemned the unwarranted attacks on the deputy secretary-general, as well as on staff members at the Luthuli House who have been subjected to attacks and insults for carrying out the decisions of the NEC, the NWC and the officials," he said.

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He admitted that some NEC members are implicated in a campaign to sow divisions within the party.

"Members of the NEC have expressed concern about a concreted and a well-orchestrated, as well as a well-resourced campaign to sow decision and confusion in the rank of the ANC with the ultimate aim to destroy the movement as a n instrument of progressive transformation and change.

"It noted that this campaign is activated aided by a few individuals from with the National Executive Committee itself through leaks, deviant public pronouncements, protests and misinformation on social media aimed at distorting the decisions of the national executive committee.”

But Ramaphosa added the top decision -making body hasn't lost control of party affairs.

"As this leadership, we have recommitted ourselves to the mandate of the 54th National Conference to restore the unity, the renewal and the integrity of the African National Congress; despite the very difficult and complex challenges of the current period."