Lungani Zungu
Has Ace Magashule started clearing his desk in preparation of vacating Luthuli House on Friday?
Speaking to Scrolla.Africa he laughed and said, “No!”
ANC leaders facing corruption, fraud charges, and other serious crimes have until Friday to step down from their government and party positions.
“There is no reason for me to clear my office,” said Magashule.
“The branches still want me to occupy that office.”
Magashule is charged with fraud regarding the controversial R255 million asbestos tender when he was Free State premier and he is out on R200,000 bail.
“My hands are clean, and I will prove that in court. I can’t step down based on those charges,” he said on Wednesday.
In a separate interview, former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede, now a member of the KZN provincial legislature, said she would not step down from the provincial legislature.
“On Monday, I will still be a member of the legislature,” she said.
Gumede faces corruption and fraud charges in the R430 million Durban Solid Waste tender issued during her time as mayor in 2017.
“I was born in the ANC, and I will die in the ANC. I will fight my battles until the end. No amount of persecution will break my back.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa told the state capture commission of inquiry on Wednesday that the ruling party would not back down in its renewal drive.
ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe said all members tainted by corruption, fraud and other serious crimes have to step down this week.
“This is the decision of the NEC, and all affected members are expected to respect that decision.”
Picture source: @magashule_ace
