The ANC has expelled its former secretary-general Ace Magashule, the party confirmed today. The ruling party's National Disciplinary Committee (NDC)'s decision came after it gave Magashule seven days to state why he should not be booted out of the party. This is the first time in the history of the ANC that a former secretary-general is expelled from the party.

GUILTY OF MISCONDUCT

Magashule was found guilty of misconduct on 1st June 2023. He attempted to suspend President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2021 and refused to apologise to the party's president and its structures. Magashule was then suspended by the party on 3 May 2021 on the basis of the step-aside rule. His suspension came after the party's National Working Committee (NWC) decided in 2021 that all members facing corruption, fraud and other serious charges must step aside or be suspended. The members were given 30 days to step aside but Magashule who is still facing charges relating to the R255 million asbestos tender issued when he was still premier of the Free State, had been adamant he would not voluntarily step aside, daring the ANC to suspend him.

TRYING TO SUSPEND PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA

When he was suspended, Magashule refused to go down without a fight, he immediately issued a suspension letter against ANC President. "I have also, in accordance with the powers vested in me as the secretary-general of the ANC, and furthermore in full compliance with the relevant conference resolutions, summarily suspended the president of the ANC, Comrade Cyril Ramaphosa," Magashule said at the time. After this, the ANC charged him with two counts of misconduct for contravening the party's constitution. He also failed to apologise to Ramaphosa as directed by the party's national executive committee, which constituted misconduct.

FAILING TO CONVINCE THE ANC TO KEEP HIM

In a statement, ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said after a guilty verdict by the NDC, Magashule was allowed to show cause why he should not be expelled from the ANC. "Upon the lapse of seven days, the NDC had not received any representations to that effect. Consequently, the NDC confirmed the expulsion of comrade Ace Magashule from the ANC as a final sanction,' Bhengu said.