Lungani Zungu
The suspended ANC secretary-general, Ace Magashule, will have to wait three more weeks to fight for his job inside the ruling party.
He is set to face off with his party in the South Gauteng High Court on the 24 and 25 June, to have his suspension overturned.
Magashule took the ruling party to court after he was suspended last month, along with his R133,000 monthly pay.
He roped in the services of a senior council, Dali Mpofu, in his fight to claim back his job.
Magashule had previously told Scrolla.Africa that he would not back down without waging a fight.
His deputy, Jessie Duarte, an ally-turned-enemy, said it was painful that Magashule had to step down.
Duarte told the ANC delegates attending the Northern Cape ANC elective conference that she had worked with Magashule for 42 years.
Magashule declined to comment when contacted on Monday.
“The matter is in court, and I don’t want to comment on the matter,” he said before hanging up.
Magashule was suspended by the ANC in line with the party’s step aside policy, which targets party leaders who are facing charges.
He faces corruption charges relating to the R255 million asbestos tender issued during his tenure as Free State premier.
His supporters have accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of hatching a plan to deal with Magashule and throw him into the political wilderness.
Magashule was seen last week dancing and singing alongside his political mentor Jacob Zuma outside the Pietermaritzburg High Court.
The former president appeared in court over the alleged bribes he received from the French company Thales.
Ramaphosa is cited as the first respondent in his capacity as the ANC president.
Magashule is claiming that some leaders in the ANC were gunning for his head.
Magashule’s supporters were already calling on him to run for the ANC’s presidential position next year in December when the party holds the 55th national elective conference.
However, he had not given any indication whether he would contest the most powerful position in the ANC.
ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe declined to comment on the issue.
Picture source: @Magashule_ace
