Supporters slowly gather ahead of ANC versus Magashule case

There is some activity outside of the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg with ANC members converging ahead of the ANC versus Ace Magashule case on Thursday morning.

Suspended ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule has approached the High Court in a bid to have his suspension reversed.

It followed the implementation of the “step aside” resolution taken at the ANC National elective conference in 2017.

Among those who turned up at the court, even though it’ll be conducted virtually, is Carl Niehaus, spokesperson of the Umkhonto WesiZwe Military Veterans.

He says this debacle within the ANC is factional, for it is targeted at certain individuals.

“The National Working Committee of the ANC had no right to institute the suspension against comrade Ace Magashule. So we hope that this court hearing of today and tomorrow will help clarify the situation and will be able to contribute to a different approach which is to be more inclusive which more away from factionalism and individual targeting and will allow comrade Ace Magashule to return to his position, his rightful position to which he had been democratically elected.”

Magashule is among eight people and five companies that face multiple charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering relating to the Free State multimillion-rand asbestos roofing audit contract.

The State alleges that between June 2015 and January 2016, Magashule either received or benefitted from unlawful payments of more than R1 million from the late Diamond Hill Trading director, Phikolomzi “Igo” Mpambani.

Ace Magashule takes ANC to court: