ANC step aside resolution likely to influence on party’s electoral base: Analyst

Political analyst Lesiba Teffo says the African National Congress (ANC) step aside resolution is likely to have a devastating impact on the party’s electoral base ahead of the October 27 local government elections.

ANC members who were expected to step aside on Friday because of corruption charges against them, have been given another week before they learn their fate.

The party’s National Executive Committee gave the affected members 30 days in which to step aside or face suspension at its last meeting at the end of March.

Teffo says the implementation of the step-aside resolution will not end factionalism in the ANC.

There’s also concern the resolution will create problems for councillor selection as outlined in the video below:  

“The conflict and the factions are so deeply rooted. Whoever comes in, whatever decision is taken, you do not expect them after three days to say we will bury the hatchet.

Perhaps they will try to find a solution politically but they have put themselves too much in a corner, not to get rid of Ace Magashule, the consequences not withstanding.”

In April Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) in Ekurhuleni Mzwandile Masina called on the ANC National Executive Committee to rethink the step aside resolution.  

The resolution stipulates that all members who are accused of serious crimes including corruption should step aside until their court cases are finalised.  

ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule is facing corruption, fraud and money laundering charges linked to a multi-million-rand contract to remove asbestos roofing from houses when he Free State premier.  

Magashule is one of ANC leaders who had until the end of April to step aside until their corruption cases are finalised.  

Failure to do so voluntarily will result in their suspension from the ruling party.  

In his address to the media on the sidelines of the ANC Cadres Regional Assembly in Alberton in April, Masina said Magashule should be given a chance to state his case.