Cape Town – Suspended African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Ace Magashule has lashed out at the ruling party over the suspension of MP Mervyn Dirks, saying that his actions were principled and in accordance with the ANC constitution.
This follows Dirk’s precautionary suspension by the party last month after he called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to account for an audio clip in which he can be heard admitting that the ANC used public funds for party purposes, and implying that the funds came from the State Security Agency (SSA).
Speaking to the media outside the Sexwale home in Soweto where he had gone to pay his respects following the passing of former human settlements minister Tokyo Sexwale’s mother, Magashule voiced out his displeasure of the party’s decision, reminding its leadership that they were the ones who called on members to blow the whistle on corruption.
“You can’t suspend Mervyn Dirks because the ANC leadership has said we must expose whatever corruption, maladministration wherever it exists. Mervyn Dirks is acting as a member of parliament, his conscience and the way the ANC has taught him, he’s doing the right thing, you can’t trample on him. You remember during the time of Zuma, committees were very active and we never took any action against committee members,” The Citizen quoted Magashule as saying.
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According to Sunday Times, Magashule was also asked if he was a part of the meeting in which Ramaphosa made the remarks, and he said:
“As the [secretary-general’s office] we are custodians of ANC minutes, discussions, and debate. I can’t remember, but I think I was in that meeting, and the way I’ve been taught, I keep ANC matters internally.”
Meanwhile, Dirk appeared before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) last week and lodged an executive complaint against Ramaphosa with the office of South African Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
Mkhwebane has since confirmed the probe into Ramaphosa’s leaked audio.
The Scopa, on the other hand, has given Ramaphosa seven to ten days to “explain” himself to the Committee.
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Compiled by Sinothando Siyolo
