Cape Town – ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has criticised his predecessor, Ace Magashule, for failing to control his supporters in the Free State who have been protesting his expulsion by burning party T-shirts.
According to Times Live, Mbalula cancelled a meeting with Magashule that was scheduled by ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa.
He accused Magashule of not using media platforms to urge his supporters to stop their unruly behaviour. Ahead of Mbalula’s visit to the Free State, Magashule’s supporters even prepared a coffin bearing Mbalula’s name, symbolising their discontent and the demise of the ANC, the report said.
Mbalula initially considered meeting Magashule but changed his mind after witnessing the actions of his supporters.
“So now I want to tell him, because he wanted to meet, Samkele [Maseka, SABC reporter], please pass on this message that he would never see not even my body. He will meet with those that he wants to meet with. I’m not going there,” said Mbalula to loud applause.
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“I was with President Ramaphosa yesterday and he said to me ‘SG go and meet him’ but I don’t owe this man [Magashule] anything and even the ANC doesn’t owe him fokol. So he must forget about me, I won’t meet him. He must go do whatever he wants to do there. He is free,” the report quoted Mbalula as saying.
The ANC officially expelled Magashule after he failed to respond to the party’s National Disciplinary Committee.
He was found guilty of bringing the ANC into disrepute when he attempted to suspend Ramaphosa in May 2021.
He is also facing charges in connection with an asbestos tender in the Free State.
Magashule on Monday claimed he was expelled from the ANC due to pressure from businessman Johann Rupert.
In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, he said that he had already been let go by the party in 2021, following an ultimatum from Rupert to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
According to Magashule, Rupert demanded his removal as Secretary-General, threatening to withhold financial support for the ANC.
Magashule suggested that his recent expulsion was merely a formality, as the decision had been made earlier.
“I was expelled a long time ago. I was expelled because a certain Mr Rupert said ‘if you don’t expel this man I’m not going to support you, Mr President’.” – Former ANC secretary general Ace Magashule giving more details on his expulsion. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/6tUjWhKkD4
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) June 26, 2023
He also confirmed that he had met with Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, who is trying to convince him to join the EFF.
“There was some information over the weekend that Ace Magashule is rejecting the EFF. I’ve never rejected the EFF.
Magashule also clarified that he was still consulting with the ANC and had not formed a new political party or joined another party.
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Picture: Twitter/ @MbalulaFikile
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
